I was typing in the boys and girls soccer playoff schedule yesterday when I came across one particular game -- Winters Mill at North Hagerstown in Class 2A West girls play -- that caught my eye and took me back to my earlier days as a prep reporter in 1994.

Back then, a tough North Carroll team was taking the long bus ride to Hagerstown to go up against North Hagerstown (the game was actually played at South Hagerstown) in an opening round playoff game that started at 7 p.m.

On tight deadline, the game was progressing just fine with the Panthers enjoying a 3-0 lead early in the second half. Then, all the craziness began. The Hubs came back with three goals to tie the game with eight minutes left. Just great, overtime was coming and so was my deadline.

But wait! North Carroll standout Christina Crouse saved the night by scoring a goal with six minutes left to give the Panthers a 4-3 lead. Game over, right? Guess again.

North Hagerstown ties the game, sends it to overtime and I'm writing another take and calling my editor in a panic about the situation. Finally, after two scoreless 10-minute overtime periods, the game goes to penalty kicks and North Carroll advances.

Trying to play catch up and get my story done, I was the last one out of the stadium. And everybody forgot that fact. I'll never forget tossing my computer and other stuff over the fence and then hopping over myself. You gotta love high school sports.

-- Glenn Graham