Media Coverage

Barnett and Vikings Hope to Finally Dethrone River Hill, Washington Post, 9/25/05

Baltimore Sun, 9/28/05

Game to watch: No. 8 Mount Hebron at No. 10 Atholton Outlook : Defending Class 2A state champion Atholton has a huge win this season, its first ever over Class 3A state champ River Hill, 3-2. Now, the Raiders have their sights on a talented Mount Hebron team led by defender Zach Barnett.

Washington Post Photo

Howard Country Times, 10/14/05

Sweeper Zach Barnett has been heading up the Mt. Hebron defense all year. "He's probably our best player," Linsenmeyer said.

Barnett Boosts Vikings, Washington Post, 11/2/05

Howard Country Times, 12/22/05

Zach Barnett, Mt. Hebron, junior. Barnett was one of the most respected players, offense or defense, in the county, and was a First-Team All-State selection, one of only five underclassmen to receive that honor. "An unbelievable sweeper - it helped me sleep better at night, knowing he was back there - I can tell you that," Mt. Hebron coach Mike Linsenmeyer said. "He's so fast, so smart, hard-working and has the long throw-in. He just held it all together back there." Barnett with his skill set has the ability to play anywhere and could move into the center midfield next year.

Basketball:  Zach Barnett, Mt. Hebron,     BaltimoreSun, 2/22/06

Baltimore Sun, 8/30/06

PLAYERS TO WATCH: ZACH BARNETT Mount Hebron, defender The senior is the Vikings' steadying influence and has all the necessary skills of a top sweeper back: speed, smarts and gifted skills with the ball.

Baltimore Sun, 11/22/06

Late strike lifts Vikings to 3A title Mt. Hebron pulls out 2-1 win over North Carroll Heading down the stretch of the Class 3A state title game, North Carroll was right where it wanted to be. After scoring early, the Panthers held Mt. Hebron's potent offense scoreless and limited its top two scorers, Mike Napolitano and Justin Martinelli, to a combined two shots in over 72 minutes of action. Eight minutes though, as the Vikings soon proved, was more than enough time to stage a comeback. Mt. Hebron's Zach Barnett sliced through the defense in the 73rd minute for his first goal of the season and Napolitano followed with the game winner four minutes later, giving the Vikings a come-from-behind 2-1 victory at University of Maryland, Baltimore County Stadium. "We had done basically everything but score and we just kept telling ourselves that if we could just somehow put one in, this game was ours," Barnett said. "We never panicked. As long as there was time left, we felt like we were in it." The win locked up the first ever undefeated season for Mt. Hebron and its third state title. The Vikings also won back-to-back titles in 1999 and 2000. "All year the kids have been resilient and really have just refused to lose," coach Mike Linsenmeyer said. "I'm so proud of them for working so hard at the end to complete the run." North Carroll was the aggressor out of the gate and put the Vikings in an early hole. Just four minutes in, Andrew Hamilton collected the rebound of Tim Wineke's header off the crossbar and volleyed the ball home for a 1-0 advantage. With the lead, the Panthers immediately took a more defensive approach. Led by Brian Bickle, who was responsible for marking Napolitano, North Carroll held Mt. Hebron without a shot for the first 32 minutes of the game. In the second half, North Carroll coach Dennis Snyder even went to a double stopper to further clog up the middle of the field and limit the Vikings' speed. "We did what we had to do and defensively we've done it all year," Snyder said. "I thought we did a great job, we had a game plan and we executed it." The Panthers' game plan, however, didn't account for Barnett in the closing minutes. Content all season with being the man behind the scenes for Mt. Hebron to the tune of a team-high 13 assists, Barnett changed his mindset in the latter stages against the Panthers. After having several previous shots just miss, Barnett took a feed from Aidan Hoolachan and weaved through three North Carroll defenders before beating Panthers' goalie Kyle Topping to the left corner. "To get that first goal of the season at a time when nothing seemed to be going in for us, it was perfect," Barnett said. "I couldn't have scripted it any better." The momentum in its favor, Mt. Hebron added the clincher just minutes later. Running down a clearing pass by Bobby Cooke, Napolitano found himself one-on-one with Topping and proceeded to bend the ball just inside the right post for his 26th and final goal of the season. "We had all the momentum and I saw the ball sail over my head and I remember thinking, 'this is it, we can win it right here," Napolitano said. "I've scored a lot of goals this season, but that by far felt the best." By Brent Kennedy, 22 November, HCT

Baltimore Sun, 11/18/06

Late goals lift Hebron to third title No. 3 Vikings overcome North Carroll for 3A crown For the Mount Hebron boys soccer team to claim the program's third state title and complete its first unbeaten season, the No. 3 Vikings needed a first from midfielder Zach Barnett and the usual from striker Mike Napolitano - all coming in the final eight minutes of yesterday's Class 3A final against No. 11 North Carroll. Barnett, a senior standout more accustomed to controlling the middle and distributing the ball, scored his first goal of the season with 7:33 left and Napolitano scored his 25th a few minutes later as the Vikings overcame a stubborn Panthers' defense for a resilient 2-1 win at UMBC Stadium. Mount Hebron finishes the season with a 17-0-4 mark, capturing the Howard County championship; a demanding East region in which it knocked out last year's co-champ, River Hill; and then defeating last year's other co-champ, Towson, in the state semifinal round before cracking a determined North Carroll side that protected an early 1-0 lead until the closing minutes. "Going out undefeated, being county, region and state champs - you can't ask for anything more than that," said Napolitano, who, patiently stationed at the midfield line, ran on to a ball sent over the top from senior Bobby Cooke and finished with a clean strike to the near post from 16 yards for the title-winning goal with 3:24 to play. After the Panthers (14-3) got a goal from Andrew Hamilton in the game's fourth minute - coming off a long flip thrown by Nate Walker that was first headed off the crossbar by Tim Wineke - they were content to keep players back and marking tight. Despite the considerable edge in territory, the Vikings were continually frustrated until Barnett took matters upon himself with a strong run into the box and an ideal finish to the far post from 12 yards. "I'm just thinking I need one more shot at goal and I'll put it away," said Barnett, a converted sweeper who had 13 assists this season. "I had plenty of shots in the second half, but they were from far out. So I thought if I had a close one around or inside the 18 - I could put one in." The Panthers got a fine defensive effort from senior midfielder Brian Bickel, who was given the task of marking Napolitano. The rest of the defense stayed organized and disciplined under the constant pressure, but couldn't hold off a traditionally high-scoring Vikings offense. "I thought we did a great job - we had a game plan and we executed it. Even in the second half - up until seven minutes to go - we were right where we needed to be," said North Carroll coach Denny Snyder. "I tip my hat to them. But to be that close - seven minutes - I give my kids all the credit in the world." By Glenn Graham, Sun reporter, November 18, 2006

Baltimore Sun Photo

Washington Post, 11/18/06

Barnett's First Goal Is a Big One CATONSVILLE, Md., Nov. 17 -- Mount Hebron senior midfielder Zach Barnett heard the encouragement all season. Everyone from Vikings Coach Mike Linsenmeyer to standout forward Mike Napolitano has urged Barnett to shoot more. Barnett, the Howard County player of the year, took those words to heart and scored his first goal of the season Friday night when his team desperately needed one. Fourth-ranked Mount Hebron trailed North Carroll by one in the 73rd minute of the Maryland 3A championship when Barnett dribbled through three defenders and scored. His equalizer was followed by Napolitano's game-winner four minutes later, and the Vikings won 2-1 at UMBC. "It's just great to finally put one in and help our team win a state championship," Barnett said. Mount Hebron (17-0-4) fought from behind to clinch its first undefeated season and win its third state championship. The Vikings won back-to-back titles in 1999 and 2000. "I'm just really proud of them for not giving up and sticking to what we do," Linsenmeyer said. "It paid off, and it has paid off all season." Andrew Hamilton's volley from six yards put North Carroll (14-3) ahead in the fourth minute. The Panthers then bunkered down on defense. They played with two stoppers and man-marked Napolitano, who came in with 24 goals and 11 assists. "I think we dominated, but we just couldn't put one in," Napolitano said. "But when Zach put that in, I think everybody got that sense of, like, we're gonna win this game." The Vikings finally broke through when Barnett took a pass from Aidan Hoolachan, zigzagged through North Carroll's back line and slotted a shot from six yards inside the left post. "We always say that if we get one, we'll get two, three, four -- like it will open up the floodgates," Barnett said. "Tonight, that opened up the floodgates." Four minutes later, with the Panthers pushed forward, Mount Hebron midfielder Bobby Cooke cleared the ball from inside the Vikings' box. The ball sailed toward midfield where Napolitano was waiting onsides. Napolitano ran down the ball, dribbled in on a breakaway and bent the game-winning goal inside the right post. "It was a beautiful ball," Napolitano said of the clearing pass. "The best ball I've ever seen in my life." By Rich Campbell, Special to The Washington Post, Saturday, November 18, 2006 Caption: Zach Barnett of Mount Hebron moves past a North Carroll defender en route to the tying goal in the 3A state final. (Photos By Robert A. Reeder -- The Washington Post)

Washington Post Photo

Washington Post, 12/21/06

Howard County Player of the Year D Zach Barnett Mount Hebron, Sr. Barnett's technical skill and vision made him the defensive anchor of Mount Hebron's undefeated Maryland 3A championship team. The Howard County player of the year and first-team all-state selection had one goal and 15 assists. He will play for the University of Pennsylvania.

Washington Post Photo

Washington Post, 12/21/06

Washington Post ALL MET TEAM D Zach Barnett | Mount Hebron | Senior Barnett's technical skill and vision made him the defensive anchor of Mount Hebron's undefeated Maryland 3A championship team. The Howard County player of the year had one goal and 15 assists. Will play for Pennsylvania.

Washington Post Photo

Howard County Times

ZACH BARNETT, Mt. Hebron. First Team All County Barnett was the heart and soul of Mt. Hebron's state title run. His control, vision and long throw helped him register 13 assists on the year and made him the county coaches selection as the county Player of the Year. Traditionally splitting time between the midfield and defense, Barnett showcased the ability to be a scorer as well by scoring the game tying goal in the state title game. "Zach is such a phenomenal athlete that has started for us for four years, so the question coming into the season was where could we put him to maximize his ability?," coach Mike Linsenmeyer said. "I thought he did a great job as a defender/midfielder for us and his ability to see the field and lead made a huge difference. We would have been a completely different team without him."