The Marriotts Ridge Nick Applegate named "John" the biggest goal of his career in football.
Since that was what was on the line, this is likely to remain so for very little.
In a State Championship game 2 still scoreless just over two minutes from halftime, Applegate was alone with the ball on stands just outside the box. Instinctively turned towards goal, fired and then watched history unfold.
The ball looped at Fallston goalie Robbie Kansler before covers only the crossbar, giving the decisive goal with a victory Marriotts Ridge 1-0 at UMBC Stadium ensured their third straight title Mustangs.
"I and the ball was in my leg, so just turned and shot," said Applegate, whose objective was the seventh of the season. "I knew it was important to start the second half with a goal and the goalie was out of line."
The Fallston Kansler, who finished with nine saves, said Applegate caught somewhat off guard with a quick shot.
"I was out a little too and it was a good shot … Couldn't do anything, "he said.
Fallston hopes of a comeback were a serious setback just two minutes and 18 seconds after the score of Applegate, the Defender had issued a Zack Esser red card for a dangerous tackle from behind.
With the Angels playing down a man the rest of the way of Marriotts Ridge defence was able to make a stand.
"I was terribly worried when they scored, I thought we had the opportunity to come back, ' Fallston coach Chris Hoover said. "It was only when we did get a red card, shifts several around and take another player out of the attack.
"At the end we could not find a way to slip a ball there … and we had chances. "
During the Marriotts Ridge current run of three straight Championships, two of them now have come against the Fallston. The Mustangs had previously addressed the Angels 1-0 Overtime defeat of 2009 title game.
In the first half of this year Championship contest played mostly in midfield, although there were a handful of quality opportunities for both sides.
None was more dangerous than a Marriotts Ridge shot four minutes that actually found the net before being lifted off by the referee because of a foul Mustang.
"The last two games we've been able to score really early in the first half, probably first 10 minutes," junior Brad Martinelli said. "So Yes, there was great disappointment is not able to effect real soon (tonight)."
The game went into halftime tied at 0-0, however, immediately after the groups intensified back in the field, Marriotts Ridge, it is considered that the driver's seat.
The score marked the fifth time the Applegate in as many games this postseason that the Mustangs have scored first.
"I am the boys, but we haven't won a game in which you gave us until the first goal all year. But we would have won every game we've scored first, "said Marriotts Ridge coach Kevin Flynn. "Get so early (in the second half) was a big deal."
Even after alighting, Fallston red card may not be transferred. The Cougars kept pressing and had a pair of almost on the goal that the stretch, including a free kick by Chris Lievendag was diverted to the crossbar by the Marriotts goalie Pat Moore Ridge (4 stores).
"I knew it was borderline between wheel and hope for the best," said Lievendag.
With the victory, Marriotts Ridge becomes the first County to win three consecutive State Championships, since the River Hill won four straight times from 2002 to 2005. And, for a group of Mustang began just two seniors most of the year, it was a great execution.
"Out of the play-off, we play as well as any of the groups over the past two years," Flynn said. "I believe that this group has grown significantly this year. We do not Shakhtar ready at the beginning of the year, but it certainly was at the end. "
