Mount Hebron showed yesterday why it is considered to be by far the best team in Howard County this season.
The Vikings, last season’s state Class 3A finalist, gave Mount Saint Joe (2-4) a clinic on faceoffs and badly outhustled the Gaels on ground balls to score a 13-8 victory in the rain at Mount Hebron.
The win was particularly sweet because the Vikings (2-0) had lost to St. Joe by a goal last season — one of only two loses.
The advantage on faceoffs was lopsided in Mount Hebron’s favor, 19-6. Mike Huppman won eight of his 11 faceoffs, Damon Cuzmanes five of six and Mike McCarthy five of seven.
Mount Hebron also dominated ground balls, 37-19, led by Mike Stromberg who had a career-high nine. Stromberg, a long stick defenseman, also scored a goal, his second of the season.
And Jeremy Desor, Mount Hebron’s leading returning scorer, had a career-high five goals and added two assists.
“St. Joe was a quality team, but we were able to control the ball,” Desor said.
Eight different Vikings had goals or assists, with Kyle Campbell and Terrance Buckley getting two goals and an assist apiece. James Thomas scored a goal and had two assists.
“The final score surprised us,” St. Joe coach Steve Szlasa said. “I think our guys were so excited about this game that we forgot how to play.”
Mount Hebron coach Warren Michael watched this game from the press box as he recuperates from an operation for a ruptured disc in his back.
“We fouled when we were up by six goals and we telegraphed our passes,” he said.
Assistant coach Sonny Zigler also saw some negatives. “We had too many penalties and we again had trouble holding a lead in the third quarter. St. Joe scored four of its goals in the third period.
But Michael also saw plenty he liked. “Right now, the only team that can stop us is ourselves.”
Pub Date: 4/02/96
