SOCCER: Unstoppable Urbana Ends Perry Hall’s Season

Urbana High School is on track to return to the state championship after a seven minute scoring streak ended Perry Hall's season, Tuesday night in Frederick.

It was described as a "70-minute battle" with both teams, evenly matched, tirelessly fighting for that pivotal goal. Urbana's Will Duddleson finally broke the deadlock in the 71st minute, sparking a two-goal scoring sprint in the minutes that followed.

"I feel fantastic. It was great to see the ball start falling for us, considering how hard we worked for the 70 minutes to get to that point. … It was great to see it finally happen and it was the seal being broken," Urbana head coach Scott Schartner said.

The 3-0 win added another tally to the Hawks' perfect season. A year ago, Urbana lost in the state championship match to Walt Whitman High School 1-0 in overtime. Goal scorer Duddleson said confidence is at an all-time high.

"We really want to prove to everyone this year who we are," Duddleson said. "We've really hit our stride here in the last couple of games. We're at our best shape and we're all really confident."

A late corner kick sent into the box landed at Duddleson's feet. One touch to himself and the keeper could do little stop the shot from close range.

"It felt great. I had a lot of chances early on," he said. "The keeper made some great saves. … It was a great ball across. I just took a good touch and finished. It got everyone going with Joey Penn scoring two goals after that."

The senior striker said he is close to committing to a NCAA Division 1 school to continue his soccer career.

But the Hawks "certainly couldn't rest on that one goal," according to Schartner. Joey Penn, one of the leading goal scorers in the state, tallied his 22nd goal after netting two in five minutes.

Penn took advantage of Perry Hall's tactical decision to push a defender into a more offensive position. The opening in the Gators' defensive third paved way for Penn who said he too is likely committing to a Division 1 soccer program next year.

Perry Hall head coach Danny Skelton watched from the sidelines as his team fought in the midfield and developed a series of chances offensively, especially in the opening minutes of the second half.

"It's hard to find words at a moment like this. The loss is tough to take," Skelton said. "Seventy minutes was a battle. Urbana is an excellent team. We went toe-to-toe for 70 minutes. We had our chances. They had theirs. It came down to who was going to finish the first one … the game obviously opened up after that."

Perry Hall was the last Baltimore County team vying for a state championship berth. But the team can take a few positives away from the loss and a prolific season.

"They continued to push," Skelton said of his team's tenacity Tuesday night. "They didn't start arguing, bickering, give up or hang their outs. They fought tooth and nail to the final whistle and that speaks to their character and the kind of kids they are. With the group I have coming back I know they're going to bring that the entire season."

About 11 seniors will be returning next season. Team captain Joe Glos, who terrorized Urbana's defense Tuesday night, has committed to playing soccer at UMBC. Joining him is senior centerback Nick Liberto who also committed to the Retrievers.