The first two weeks of October, the C. Milton Wright girls soccer team resembled anything but a state title contender. The Mustangs opened the season 7-1, but a 0-3-1 stretch forced the team to revamp its strategy.
The Mustangs became a more defensive-minded team ? the same philosophy they used to win the 4A state title with a 1-0 victory over Walt Whitman in 2005.
It worked. C. Milton Wright (13-4-1) has allowed just one goal during its six-game winning streak. The Mustangs enter tonight?s 4A state championship game against Montgomery County?s Quince Orchard at Broadneck High School in Annapolis at 7:30 vying for their second title in three years.
“It just took us a little longer this season to get to where we wanted to be,” C. Milton Wright coach Paul Austin said. “We always approach it as our out of county schedule gets us ready for our county schedule and that gets us ready for states.”
C. Milton Wright, winners of the North Region Tournament, earned its spot in the championship game by squeaking by East Region champ Severna Park, 2-1, in overtime. Senior forward Lyndsie Ludwig scored the game-winner for the Mustangs with one minute, 59 seconds left in the extra period. Ludwig has a history of scoring when it matters most, as five of her 13 goals this season have come in the playoffs, including two game-winners.
In 2005, it was her goal that beat Walt Whitman and gave C. Milton Wright its first girls soccer title ? the first by a Harford County team since Fallston in 1996.
“I?d never though we?d get back to this,” Ludwig said. “Scoring: That?s what my job is up there. We do a good job from shifting from defense and working our way up the field.”
The Mustang?s backline is led by junior sweeper Molly Stryker, who anchors a unit that has allowed just 13 goals and has eight shutouts.
“You don?t always get a chance like this,” Austin said. “You could have a great team and not make it this far, so we know we have a great opportunity that a lot of people don?t get a chance to have. That?s a strive in us.”
