Boys soccer secures championship victory in dominant fashion

By: Basith Syed

Photo credit: Brian Krista - Baltimore Sun

Behind an undefeated 16-0 run marked by disciplined defense and an explosive attack, the Glenelg boys soccer team defeated Fallston 4-0 in the 2A title game at UMBC on Nov. 13, claiming their fourth state championship crown, and second since 2022.

Arguably, this year’s team put together one of the strongest and most consistent seasons in the program's history, establishing themselves as one of the most dominant teams in the state (No. 1), and even the country (No. 17), according to Max Preps. 

The one constant? Head Coach Joseph Osborne and senior leadership.

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“Throughout the year we relied on our seniors and their leadership, and it was certainly the case in the state final,” Osborne said. “Our defense only allowed five goals in our last 11 games and one goal in the playoffs. We knew that we would have opportunities to score goals in the games but if we could limit opportunities for the other team, we would be very difficult to beat.”

And that’s exactly what the Gladiators’ defense did in their championship bout, shutting out a Fallston offense that entered the contest scoring about 2.8 goals per game and winning nine of their last 10 games. The last time the Cougars had been shut out was Sept. 26. 

Senior leadership played a large role in the victory, as Tito Tokunboh-Salako helped limit Fallston to only several shots on goal in the first half. Goals by Brady Belmore (9th minute) and Alex Ball (33rd minute and 20th goal of the season) paced the Glads who took the 2-0 lead into the half and never looked back.

“At halftime there was a confident but focused energy,” Osborne said. “Scoring the second goal late in the first half certainly helped with this. As a group we felt that we could play more composed and controlled in the second half, trying to possess the ball better than we did in the first half. The energy level was high and ready to finish what we set out to do.”

That energy quickly transitioned to two more goals, again by seniors, within the first six minutes of the second half. James DeBose’s score (47th minute) and Belmore’s second goal in the 51st minute put the icing on the proverbial cake, cementing the team’s status as one of the finest seasons in county history.

Given their staunch defense, senior leadership, and game plan execution during the championship game, Osborne said it would be fair to say the match was an encapsulation of the entire season.

“Having a large number of seniors definitely played a role,” Osborne said. “In high school sports, seniors are usually the driving force of the team. Having both a large number and a lot of quality within that group has been a big reason for our success.”

Leadership has been a major strength for Glenelg this year. Captains Vishnu Almili, Andrew Kasbeer-Betty, and Ball have led in different ways, setting the tone for a winning culture. 

“They all have very different personalities, and that’s a good thing,” Osborne said. “They’ve done a great job guiding the team without forcing it. They let leadership come naturally.” 

Despite a season that saw nothing but wins, largely the result of the team’s senior presence, for Osborne the joy of coaching goes beyond victories. 

“It’s just fun,” he said with a smile. “It’s enjoyable to be out there when the players are having fun. They give up a lot of time and energy, so I just try to put them in situations that help them grow as individuals and as a group.”

Just a few years ago, Glenelg’s program looked very different. From 2017 to 2021, the team won only 11.7 percent of its games, according to Willie Sean Coughlan who operates HoCo HS Sports Almanac. Since then, Glenelg has won nearly 78 percent of its matches, including their state title in 2022, and could be on the verge of another.

Coach Osborne credits that turnaround to persistence and the right mix of talent. “There isn’t one singular reason,” he said. “We’ve had lots of talented players come in. In those years where we struggled, we were in a lot of close games and just weren’t able to win. Eventually, we started finding ways to win and once that happened, things started to turn our way.”

The team’s offensive output this season has been historic, averaging four goals per game, a mark unmatched in Howard County in the 21st century. 

“We have a lot of talented players who’ve put in the work,” Osborne said. “We don’t have just one attacking threat. We have multiple players who can be dangerous, and that makes us hard to defend.” 

Even in a dominant season, Glenelg has faced its share of challenges. Howard County remains one of the toughest soccer regions in the state. Close games against River Hill, Guilford Park, and Reservoir tested the team’s composure. 

“There were a number of games that gave us good lessons,” Osborne said. “Those challenges certainly helped prepare us for the playoffs.”

But perhaps the best example of Glenelg’s character came in a playoff game when a substitute player, Charlie Wilmeth, scored late in the match. 

“The excitement the team had for him says a lot about who they are,” Osborne recalled. “He didn’t see a lot of playing time, but everyone celebrated his success. That moment really showed the group’s character.” 

​The Gladiators will look to rely on their character-driven focus as they seek to become back-to-back championships. Based on the past several seasons, it is clear that Glenelg soccer has become a powerhouse built not just on skill, but on unity, leadership, and belief.