GLEN BURNIE, Md. -- Despite a ferocious comeback in the final five minutes, the Queen Anne's County Boys' Soccer team dropped their MPSSAA 2A State semifinals matchup 4-3 to the Century Knights earlier today.
Early on, it was rough sledding for the Lions, as Century dominated the first twenty-five minutes of play. Junior Knight Nicholas McGhin quickly put the Knights up 1-0, firing one in from just five yards out in the 8th minute of play.
McGhin wasn't done there. Just ten minutes later, he headed one in off a side throw-in to make it a 2-0 game.
It wouldn't take much longer for goal number three either, as Justin Asiedu sent home a shot on a penalty stroke to make it 3-0.
And then, not to be outdone, it was McGhin again, burying one from ten yards out to complete the hat trick. Not even thirty minutes in, it seemed like Century was going to cruise to the title game with a commanding 4-0 lead.
However, from there, Queen Anne's slowly worked their way back into the game. In the 32nd minute, Senior Nicolas Esper provided a more than needed goal to make it 4-1; giving the Lions at least a little bit of life heading into halftime.
In the second half, Queen Anne's began controlling time of possession, generating several high quality chances, but unable to cut into the three-goal deficit for the first 35 minutes of the half.
That was until the 76th minute, where Gage Jordan brought the Lions within two by tapping in a loose ball in front of net.
Then, in the final minute, with Queen Anne's going on an all out offensive, Esper brought the Lions' crowd to its feet with a huge goal from 15 yards out to make it just a one-goal game.
With less than twenty seconds left, Queen Anne's had one last chance to send this one to extra time. As Esper pushed the right side, he attempted a bicycle kick shot that was on net, but went right into the diving hands of Knights' goaltender Greyson Glenn. Century was then able to bleed out the rest of the clock and clinch the victory.
Century now advances to the 2A State title game, where they will take on the winner of the Damascus & North Harford matchup next weekend.
Although it was a tough end to the season, Queen Anne's still comes out of their 2023 season with a lot of positives. They finished the season with a total record of 13-3-1, as well as Bayside Conference runner ups.
