by Derek Toney

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As they headed out of the stadium Friday night, Reservoir High’s boys’ lacrosse team couldn’t contain their excitement over knocking off Centennial.

“We got them, we got them,” several Gator players shouted. The Fulton school’s 8-5 home decision was the first victory over one of Howard County’s most successful programs.

Senior attackman Bill Reybold and Brandon Castleman each scored two goals for the Gators (10-2 overall, 6-1 in Howard County), and Dylan Godbout contributed three assists. Junior attackman Harrison Chaires had two goals and two assists for Centennial (7-5, 5-3), and junior attack Alex Danner added a score and two assists.

“We came to play and we wanted this,” said Reybold. “We’ve never done this before. We didn’t let the little things bother us.”

The Gators ran off three straight goals in the final quarter to stay a game behind unbeaten Glenelg. The 13th ranked Gladiators improved to 8-0 in league play (10-0 overall) with an 11-4 decision over Mount Hebron Friday.

After winning seven games over the previous three seasons, Reservoir now finds itself in a league title chase. The Gators have done it with seven returning starters from a squad that won only twice a year ago.

“This is the first year where the kids have been with us for four years,” said Reservoir coach Bryan Cole. “They know the system and we’ve been working on their skills. They’re starting to become all-around lacrosse players.”

“Our work ethnic is unbelievable,” said Reybold, who will attend the University of Delaware. “No matter what happens we always think we can stay in the game and believe we can win.”

Reybold’s goal with nine seconds remaining in the first half pulled Reservoir even. Mike Evans’ goal early in the third and Castleman’s first goal with 6:18 remaining in the period pushed the Gators ahead for good.

Chaires brought Centennial to 5-4 with 11:16 left in regulation on an assist from Danner. Robert While responded for Reservoir with an unassisted goal, and Reybold followed with a solo tally with 6:30 remaining.

Godbout found Castleman, who fired a quick shot from the left past Eagles goalie Carl Suhrstedt (six saves), and the Gators had their historic first victory over the four-time state champions within reach. Cole credited the defensive play of Chris Meyers, Brian Boring and Tim Willman.

“They controlled the ball on, and really, throughout the game,” said Centennial coach Mike Siegert, who received goals from Shane Jaeger and Pat Downey. “They’re playing with confidence. They had some good wins early, and they believe they can win.”

Joey Lloyd and Khoa Huynh each scored a goal for Reservoir, which hosts River Hill Tuesday afternoon before traveling to Glenelg in the regular season finale Friday evening. Cole said the Gators won’t be overconfident threading in unchartered waters.
 
“We have one of the few coaches who’s been with us from the very beginning,” said Reybold, a four-year starter. “All the players who’ve comeback every year and worked hard in the offseason, and done everything possible to make the program better. They believed we could be a good team, and we are now.”
     

Reservoir 8, Centennial 5
Goals: Centennial-Chaires 2, Danner, Jaeger, Donney; Reservoir-Reybold 2, Castleman 2, Lloyd, Huynh, Evans, While. Assists: Centennial-Danner 2, Chaires 2; Reservoir-Godbout 3, Castleman. Saves: Centennial-Suhrstedt 6; Reservoir-Trudell 7. Halftime: Tied at 3.