Baldwin Scores, Strawberries Advance

I've never written a sports journalism story before. There's always a first time for everything.

LUTHERVILLE, Md. — In a decisive playoff victory that turned magical in the final minutes, the fourth-seeded Strawberries defeated the Sky Blue team 5-0 Saturday in first-round Lutherville Recreation League soccer action.

The game's defining moment came with minutes remaining when Amelia Baldwin, the 4-foot-tall Strawberries forward who had spent parts of the earlier quarters chasing falling leaves, found herself with a breakaway opportunity.

Having learned from two previous attempts where she kicked directly to the goalkeeper, Amelia demonstrated textbook technique.

She maintained control while advancing toward the goal, then placed a perfectly angled shot with the side of her foot into the corner of the net for her first career goal.

The score, which capped the Strawberries' 5-0 victory, sparked an immediate celebration from teammates and ensured the team's advancement to Game 2 of the playoff series tomorrow, October 27.

"She had been starring up at the sky earlier in the game," one pa…