Crofton girls soccer is heading to its first Class 4A championship, two years after claiming the 3A title under a different coach and a largely different roster.
The Cardinals were runner-ups in 4A East Region I last fall, but this year, they tore through Anne Arundel County unbeaten in the regular season and won regional playoff games by three- and four-goal margins. Crofton handled a one-goal overtime against Northwest in the 4A state quarterfinals and a 2-1 nail-biter against Perry Hall in the state semifinal.
Senior defender Rebecca Flom has played an enduring role on the back line, where she has saved Crofton three times by deflecting the ball on the goal line, all in close games, per her coach.
Flom spoke with The Capital Gazette this week about the upcoming state final against three-time defending 4A state champion Walt Whitman, and how Crofton got here.
Editor’s note: Some questions and answers have been lightly edited for brevity and clarity.
Were you on varsity two years ago when Crofton won the title?
I got moved up for playoffs.
And what do you think to yourself when you’re watching the victory?
I’m thinking to myself, “Man, it’s going to be me someday. I’m going to be right where they’re standing.”
So last year, it’s a bit of a development year with a new coach. You guys fall to Glen Burnie in the region final. What goals did you set after that?
I think for me, it was about improving my game, pushing myself to be better every day. I knew next season we were going to succeed. I knew I’d need to give more to the team, so I just focused on being more consistent, more vocal in the field and leading by example.
So how have you seen that play out as the season progressed?
I’ve seen our team bonding more. I could see them on the field, knowing what’s going to happen between them before it does.
So this season, you don’t play [defending 3A state champion] Severna Park in the regular season, not “]until the county championship tournament to test yourselves. But you do have Broadneck, Chesapeake, South River, and you beat them all 1-0. How do you feel that affected the team during the fall?
Against those really, I felt incredible feeling of accomplishment. Every practice, every struggle, it all led to these wins – and I couldn’t be prouder of how far we came.
So, how would you describe how far this team has come? Where have you grown?
We’ve grown a stronger mindset, a more confident mindset. Our chemistry, our identity as a team has really strengthened. We’ve spent a lot of time together outside the school, not just in practice. It’s really gotten us comfortable with playing together, knowing each other.
Your spoke about how you’re playing a different style under him and his staff. You have experience under both coaching staffs. How would you describe the difference between the two teams’ style?
Honestly, the difference now is that people are more encouraging. There’s more cheering on the sidelines, on the field. There’s more positive feedback rather than focusing on the negative.
When did you feel there was a chance you guys could get as far as you have?
After the Severna Park game.
Why? Obviously, that was one of your rare losses.
We gave up three goals, but they were made in the first half. Despite being down three, our coach got us together, and in the second half, we played our hearts out and didn’t let a single goal in. I was just thinking to myself after that, we can do it. That was the worst situation we’ve had this season and we stuck it through.
So, what have you seen from film that you’re going to focus on with Whitman?
Their aggressive playing style, their impactfulness on the ball.
You kind of had that with Perry Hall.
For sure.
What would it mean to you to bring a second title home to Crofton?
It’s a little overwhelming. But it would honestly be a dream come true. Getting to the state championship is victory within itself.
I asked your coach if he thought you’d all be here at the beginning of the season. He said no. Did you?
Yeah, I did. Even soccer aside, I knew what people were on this team. I knew we’re gonna give everything we have.
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