[Baltimore Sun] Nick McGhin’s overtime game-winner lifts Century boys soccer past Westminster, 2-1
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Century senior Nick McGhin listed his favorite memory as a Knight as an overtime win over archrival Liberty in a 2022 regional final. Some who have had the pleasure of rooting the striker on through the years tout their favorite moment as his signature backflip that comes after a goal or a big win.
Wednesday night, everyone was treated to yet another signature Nick McGhin moment as his overtime goal broke a 1-1 stalemate to give the Knights the 2-1 senior night victory over Westminster.
“This was really our first tight game and they responded,” coach Stephen Hurst said. “Through the adversity, they came together as a team.”
If there is anyone that knows about facing adversity, it’s McGhin.
For many the game plan against the Knights is to do whatever it takes to make someone besides No.22 beat them, sending double and triple teams at the star. But throughout his time at Century, McGhin has embraced the extra attention and found a way to score countless times.
“I see it more as a challenge instead of a setback,” he said. “If two guys are on me in the box, it makes me more more aggressive to beat both of them.”
McGhin did just that on his first goal of the night, beating two Owls to the front post before kicking a laser past the goalie off the feed from fellow senior Jackson Barioto.
McGhin was one of 11 seniors celebrated Wednesday as the Knight’s honored a corps that has a regional championship and 2A state title game appearance on their resume from last season.
Fueled by that experience, it was Hurst’s bevy of seniors that stayed calm — even after Westminster’s Ashton Gifford scored in the second half to tie the game.
“They kept their composure,” Hurst said. “Their control, their runs, their mannerisms. They didn’t break down or give up. They kept fighting and kept pushing.”
Led by McGhin, the Knights will look to keep pushing one step further this season as they know winning a tight game like this one does wonders for them beyond just adding one more to the win total.
The Knights have championship aspirations and with the returning core ready to avenge last year’s state title game loss. They know they can keep calm, bunker down and execute when the game gets tight, which only boosts their confidence as this group of seniors tries to return to the state title game and this time come back with the trophy, the ultimate signature moment.
“We know it’s a lot of the players we had last year and the same coaches last year but we’re all building together as a team,” McGhin said. “Through each game we get better, we keep our composure and we get mentally tougher throughout each game.”
Have a news tip? Contact Timothy Dashiell at tdashiell@baltsun.com, and x.com/@dashielltimothy.
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