During her 20 seasons as head coach, Flohaug has seen Centennial's program rise to state prominence. In 2016, she led the Cougars to a Class 2A state championship. Last season, Centennial had a runner-up finish at state.

“It brings tears to my eyes thinking about all the athletes I’ve gotten to work with,” Flohaug said. “To be a part of their life and make an impact in some way — just all the relationships and so many great memories.”

The Cougars looked like another contender led by Flohaug this season. The team lost just one match — a 3-2 defeat to Champlin Park on Sept. 17. Centennial gave up just nine goals in its 14 matches this season.

On the offensive side, the Cougars were led by Harper. She entered this season as one of the state’s top scorers and proved her skill last season when she earned a hat trick in the section final. 

In this year’s section finale, the Bengals set their sights on Harper. They attempted to slow down the University of Minnesota commit and Ms. Soccer finalist by having sophomore forward Kendall Stadden defend Harper. That seemed to work early in the match, with Harper struggling to garner good scoring opportunities.

“They definitely shut down [Harper],” Flohaug said. “She kept playing and didn’t change her game. Her being able to put that ball in the net changed everything.”

In the second half, Harper finally got her chance. After she was tripped in the box, Harper earned a goal kick. She slid the ball to the left side of the net and beat the goalkeeper to put Centennial ahead 1-0 with her 26th goal of the season in the game’s 49th minute.

“There was a lot of pressure,” Harper said. “[I] just zoned out, and put my head into and said I was going to finish. That’s exactly what I did.”

With the Cougars taking the lead, Stadden moved to the front line to help get Blaine’s offense going which led to more chances for Centennial.

Down the stretch, the Bengals (8-4-2) pressed to tie the game, but the Cougars held off the Blaine attack to finish the section tournament without giving up a goal.

“I’m super proud of my goalie and my back line,” Flohaug said. “We believed in what they wanted to do. It’s something we focus on and something we’re really proud of our defense.”

In the final minutes, the Cougars added some insurance when junior forward Sarah Strating got behind the defense to make it 2-0 in the 76th minute.

When the match ended, Centennial celebrated just like it normally would have after a section championship. As both Harper and Flohaug basked in winning the section championship, both admitted they hadn’t processed the fact their run with the program was over.

“All of the seniors put it out there for [Flohaug],” Harper said. “She has brought us up all season. We wanted to have it end on a good note. We wish there was state, but we wanted to have it end as good as it could have.”

Though the season ends without any state tournament experience due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Harper and her teammates will still celebrate their second consecutive section championship — starting with a postgame trip to the local Applebee’s.