Whatever the sport may be, some programs have the innate ability to simply reload as oppose to rebuild after suffering significant graduate hits.

One of those programs is the Fallston boys soccer team, which has had to revamp its lineup this season after graduating eight starters from last year's Class 3A state runner-up squad.

The No. 5 Cougars went up against No. 6 River Hill, another perennial state power with more experienced talent, on Tuesday and held their own before falling in the closing minutes, 2-1.

In the losing cause, the Cougars played organized with good pace and purpose for all 80 minutes, a credit to coach Christopher Hoover and his staff. The one player that stood out from both teams was Fallston senior forward Mikey Antinozzi, who is a great example of how the special programs maintain excellence.

In Tuesday's game, Antinozzi had quality touch after quality touch, proving a tough mark with the ability to create his own shot or set up teammates as the Cougars' offensive centerpiece.

"Last year, he was our third option up there. But this year, he has really stepped up both as a leader and taken over. He understands the flow of the game real well and knows what we want to do," Hoover said.