SMITHSBURG - The Smithsburg Leopards are the calendar girls of Maryland Class 1A West soccer.
The Miss Novembers shut out Northern Garrett 3-0 in the region semifinals Friday night and are one victory away from their fourth straight 1A West title. Smithsburg (12-4) will host Williamsport (9-7-1) in the final Tuesday night, beginning at 7.
"That's our season. We play all season for a chance to play in the region final," Smithsburg coach Bill Fowkes said. "We've instilled this into our players. They expect to be in this situation. They work hard for this every day."
It's hard to believe the Leopards were 0-3 in early September. But since then, they've won 12 of 13 games, including their last 10, and have not allowed a goal in their last five.