[Baltimore Sun] No. 12 Glenelg boys soccer meshing pieces new and old in undefeated start
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Glenelg boys soccer saw its 2023 season end in the Class 2A West Region II finals against eventual state champion Damascus last year. Nicholas Mirecki and Jack McCarthy vividly remember the sad bus ride home and the final walk off the field with the since-graduated seniors.
Those feelings have stuck with the duo, now senior leaders, and gave them added fuel entering the 2024 campaign. However, the Gladiators’ hard-fought battle against the Hornets also gave them a confidence boost. Most of Glenelg’s returning production comes at midfield and attack, while newcomers man other positions.
Those new additions have blended seamlessly with the returners as the 12th-ranked Gladiators are undefeated with one regular season game remaining. Glenelg (10-0-1) will win the Summit Division and earn a spot in the Howard County championship game if it beats Marriotts Ridge on Wednesday.
“We knew early on in the season we were going to have to rely on the returners as others adjusted to more playing time, coming up from junior varsity,” Glenelg coach Joey Osborne said. “It was one, where I felt things started clicking for us a lot sooner than I expected. I think the scrimmages were pleasant surprises for us. Then all of a sudden it was like, ‘Maybe we are a little farther ahead than we thought we were to start.’ We got off to a hot start and we’ve just been able to keep going.”
Glenelg burst out of the gates, scoring at least five goals in four of its five first games. However, the Gladiators showed they can win in different ways, including low-scoring defensive battles. The Gladiators are averaging 3.6 goals per game and surrendering less than a goal per game.
The veterans have made a concerted effort to assist in the newer players’ acclimation process. The leaders preach the importance of positivity and building everyone up. Therefore, there isn’t a drop off when a newer varsity player or a substitute comes off the bench. That collective confidence in one another has been another driving force in the Gladiators’ success.
“There’s no level change when players come on and off the field,” McCarthy said. “We’re just one unit, one family. It gives us a sense of relief that if we have an injury, we have someone there that can back us right up. We’ll just know that we’ll be fine.”
Mirecki added: “It’s so important. We can put in 100% on the field and not have to worry about having to stay in because we can have someone at the same level come right in.”
Two years ago, the Gladiators captured the 2A crown. With no underclassmen on that team, last year served as a transition year. Osborne encouraged his returners to recall the balance of things they liked and didn’t like as newcomers last year. They’ve built on those positives and sought to eliminate the negatives to assist this year’s additions.
Osborne wants his players to enjoy their success but has continually reminded them that the season only gets more difficult the later it gets on the calendar. He recognizes the margin of error decreases as the season goes on. Therefore, he’s encouraged his players to capitalize on their opportunities, now playing some of the season’s toughest games.
Nick Mirecki’s overtime goal lifts No. 12 Glenelg boys soccer past No. 4 River Hill, 2-1
“I feel having some of these top teams at the end of the year is just a great spot to have them,” Osborne said, “because I think it then propels us with the confidence or some of the limitations we might still have that we may need make some adjustments on going into the playoffs.”
The Gladiators have maintained a one-game at a time mindset. However, that’s easier said than done as Glenelg closes moves closer to its ultimate goal.
“That feeling when the final whistle blows, that’s just what we’re chasing,” Mirecki said. “A state championship, it means everything.”
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