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When most teams face Manchester Valley, the game plan is simple: slow things down, take the air out of the ball, and limit the opportunities for coach Shelly Brezicki’s team to strike.
While that approach has worked for some in the playoffs, Carroll County still hasn’t quite figured it out these past few seasons.
A big reason why? Emma Penczek.
Once the Clemson commit gets the ball, she goes. And when she gets downhill, she punishes opponents for giving her space and opportunity .
Penczek scored seven goals and added three assists as the Mavericks took control early and made a statement. What promised to be a clash between Carroll County’s top two teams and two Class 2A state title contenders turned into one-sided rout as Penczek and the No. 6 Mavericks topped No. 13 Century, 15-2 on Tuesday night.
“We were locked in and focused,” Brezicki said as her team improved to 6-0 and 4-0 in the county. “I thought the girls showed up ready to play.”
The opening possessions from both teams were a microcosm of how the night would unfold.
After securing the draw, Century’s Allison Fling slowly moved the ball down the field, passing around in search of an opening. After nearly four minutes, the Knights finally found a shot — but missed, as the Mavericks’ defense stepped up and took over possession.
In the blink of an eye, Penczek got the ball and sprinted downfield, pushing the pace and allowing Brezicki to set up the offense. After a brief stoppage, Penczek planted her foot and fired, slipping the ball past goalkeeper Bella Mullinix for the game’s first goal.
“It’s games like this where we hope she rises to the occasion and plays her best,” Brezicki said. “Everyone saw that tonight with the way she impacted the game in so many different ways for us.”
Century #7, Allison Fling makes a move towards the goal, manchester Valley #13, Taylor Fique defending in the 1st half. Century vs Manchester Valley girls lacrosse at Century High School. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)
Century #22, Ryley Poe, looks for anm opening as she crosses in front of Manchester Valley net in the 1st half. Century vs Manchester Valley girls lacrosse at Century High School. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)
Manchester Valley #10, Emma Penczek scores on this shot on goal in the 1st half. Century vs Manchester Valley girls lacrosse at Century High School. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)
Manchester Valley #13, Taylor Fique’s shot on goal finds the back of the net in the 1st half. Century vs Manchester Valley girls lacrosse at Century High School. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)
Century #7, Allison Fling scores on this shot on goal in the 1st half. Century vs Manchester Valley girls lacrosse at Century High School. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)
Century #17, Sarah Hroblak advances the ball down the field, Manchester Valley #21 Sophie Baer defending in the 1st half. Century vs Manchester Valley girls lacrosse at Century High School. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)
manchester goalie #29, Molly Pulliam makes a save on Century #7, Allison Fling shot on goal in the 1st half. Century vs Manchester Valley girls lacrosse at Century High School. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)
Manchester Valley #13, Taylor Fique sprints towards the goal, scores on her ensuing shot on goal in the 1st half. Century vs Manchester Valley girls lacrosse at Century High School. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)
Manchester Valley #13, Taylor Fique sprints towards the goal, scores on her ensuing shot on goal in the 1st half. Century vs Manchester Valley girls lacrosse at Century High School. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)
Century #3, Hannah Baglin and #22, Ryley Poe double team Manchester Valley #10, Emma Penczek and strip the balland take possession in the 1st half. Century vs Manchester Valley girls lacrosse at Century High School. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)
Manchester Valley #20, Maya Trump comes around the net setting up a play in the 1st half. Century vs Manchester Valley girls lacrosse at Century High School. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)
Manchester Valley #13, Taylor Fique passes to her teammate #17, Allie Largent who scores on her shot on goal in the 1st half. Century vs Manchester Valley girls lacrosse at Century High School. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)
Manchester Valley #17, Allie Largent scores on a pass form #13, Taylor Fique in the 1st half. Century vs Manchester Valley girls lacrosse at Century High School. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)
Manchester Valley's Emma Penczek races down the field after gaining possession in the first half of Tuesday's game against Century. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)
Manchester Valley goalie #29, Molly Pulliam makes a save on Century #27, Natalie Opatovsky shot on goal in the 1st half. Century vs Manchester Valley girls lacrosse at Century High School. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)
Manchester Valley #10, Emma Penczek, right, scores on this shot on goalin the 1st half. Century vs Manchester Valley girls lacrosse at Century High School. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)
Century #10, Becca Harvey tries to turn the corner, Manchester Valley #21, Sophie Baer defending in the 1st half. Century vs Manchester Valley girls lacrosse at Century High School. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)
Manchester Valley goalie #29, makes a save on a shot by Century #3, Allison Fling in the 1st half. Century vs Manchester Valley girls lacrosse at Century High School. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)
Century #7, Allison Fling tries to get the offense moving in the 1st half. Manchester Valley #21, Sophie Baer defending. Century vs Manchester Valley girls lacrosse at Century High School. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)
Manchester Valley #10, Emma Penczek, right, celebrates after scoring her third goal in the 1st half. Century vs Manchester Valley girls lacrosse at Century High School. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)
Manchester Valley #14, Cassadi Lewis scores on thsi shot on goal from a pass frpom Emma Penczek to close the 1st half. Century vs Manchester Valley girls lacrosse at Century High School. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)
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Century #7, Allison Fling makes a move towards the goal, manchester Valley #13, Taylor Fique defending in the 1st half. Century vs Manchester Valley girls lacrosse at Century High School. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)
The Knights stuck with their method early, winning six of the first nine draws. But each possession ended the same: pass after pass on the outside as coach Becky Groves called plays, trying to find the right cutter in the right spot.
The Mavericks’ defense responded every time, closing down seemingly open shooters and denying any close-range looks.
“As a defense, we knew our job going into the game,” Sophie Baer said. “We shut down what we needed to. It all comes back to just working hard, we knew they were a strong team.”
With the defense locked in, the Mavericks leaned on their offensive firepower to overwhelm the Knights. After winning the draw to open the second quarter, Allie Largent scored just 15 seconds later. Penczek then quickly added to her total.
Following Largent’s goal, she scored or assisted on six straight goals as the lead ballooned and initiated a running clock scenario. Brezicki looked on, impressed by yet another standout performance from her star.
“When she’s not scoring, it’s her play in transition, it’s her defense, it’s her communication,” Brezicki said. “It was just a complete game from her. It’s amazing to watch.”
Firmly in first place and on track for another county title, Brezicki felt Tuesday’s game wasn’t just a showcase for Penczek, but a statement from the entire team — a culmination of weeks of hard work ahead of their Class 2A state playoff run.
“This was the best game we’ve played on both ends of the field this season,” she said. “We’ve put a lot of things in place these last couple of weeks, so it was great to see us execute on both offense and defense.”
