Mt. Hebron girls soccer’s current starting back line waited in the wings behind some immensely talented players in past seasons including Kaitlyn Magdar and Ainsley Wilson.
The ninth-ranked Vikings perennially field an elite defense. This year’s group is matching that elite standard and building on the successful foundation set by those before them.
Mt. Hebron orchestrated a fourth consecutive clean sheet in a 1-0 win over Centennial on Tuesday night. The Vikings, the county’s top scoring defense, have allowed just two goals through seven games.
Senior Aubrey Carr, juniors Sam Bucchioni and Sophia Canseven, as well as sophomore Sarah Corb form a connected quartet of defenders. They’re a stabilizing force in front of senior goalie Pearl Prasartkarnka, who shifted this season from outside back with the Vikings in need of a goalie.
“I think they’re finally to the point where they just want to rely on each other and play together,” Mt. Hebron coach Tim Deppen said of the defense. “There’s not that one big voice back there. From a collective thing, they just want to play the best defense they can.
“I think they rally around the fact that Pearl was an outside back, who wanted to step up and play keeper because she knew Emily Canseven graduated. There’s something that clicks with this team and their togetherness. I feel like the team chemistry was awesome from the word ‘Go’ after tryouts.”
While that group stifled Centennial’s attackers all evening, Bucchioni and Corb connected on the game’s lone goal in the 37th minute. The defense prides itself on contributing offensively as Bucchioni delivered a left-footed cross off a corner kick and Corb found a crease.
The sophomore struck the shot past a diving Abby Hitzelberger, marking the first goal of Corb’s varsity career. Corb embraced with teammates before jumping into the arms of Bucchioni, who jumped up and down, equally jovial about delivering the assist.
“Ecstatic, I was so excited,” Corb said of her emotions after the goal. “She’s my best friend, so it was fun to have an assist from her.”
The Vikings (5-0-2, 4-0-1 Summit Division) diligently keep stats every game and update the defense on the total number of shots allowed, including how many are on target. In the first half Tuesday, the Vikings allowed just two shots, one of which was on target. Deppen informed the unit of that low number at halftime, which is a consistent source of pride for the group.
What makes that group so effective is communication. Their different personalities and skillsets align to form one cohesive unit around that principle. Despite being the youngest, Corb is often the loudest voice that Deppen hears from the sideline. It’s a role she’s grown into, particularly over the last few games.
Sophia Canseven is more of a quiet operator on the field, while Bucchioni and Carr also lead in their own ways, with Carr one of four senior captains. Their constant dialogue allows the group to rarely deviate in structure and quickly shut off any space.
Centennial (5-2-3, 1-1-1) finished with six total shots and three on target, each of which were 20-to-25 yards out and comfortable saves for Prasartkarnka. Even with Centennial furiously pressing forward in the final 10 minutes, Mt. Hebron’s defense remained calm and composed.
Tuesday’s victory is the first of three games in a challenging week for the Vikings, who host Glenelg on Thursday and Long Reach on Friday. Through that tough stretch, the two biggest things Deppen wants to see are steady intensity and focus.
“Making sure that we’re super locked in at practice and taking Wednesday as a good rest day is key,” Bucchioni said. “Also making sure that we’re communicating and making sure that in these next two tough games that we’re really connecting as a team, connecting our passes and playing with purpose.”
Have a news tip? Contact Jacob Steinberg at jsteinberg@baltsun.com, 443-442-9445 and x.com/jacobstein23.
