Harford Community College women’s soccer defeated CCBC Essex 2-0 in the NJCAA Region 20 Division II tournament final Saturday at CCBC Dundalk in Dundalk, Maryland. The victory gave Harford its fifth consecutive NJCAA Region 20 championship and its first Region 20 title at the Division II level.
Harford Community College entered the final with a 15-1-2 record, while CCBC Essex entered at 15-1-1. Harford scored twice during the opening 20 minutes and held the Knights scoreless for the remainder of the match.
Harford Community College Women’s Soccer Scores Twice Early
Lila Vincenti opened the scoring in the eighth minute, converting an assist from Macy Forest at the 7:36 mark. Vincenti finished with four shots, all on target, while Forest recorded four shots, three on goal, and one assist.
Annabelle Lathroum doubled Harford’s lead at 19:29 after receiving an assist from Sydney Stoneback. The goal followed Harford’s third corner kick and gave the Fighting Owls a 2-0 advantage before the match reached the 20-minute mark.
Harford led 7-4 in shots and 4-1 in shots on goal at halftime. The Fighting Owls also held a 3-1 advantage in corner kicks during the opening half, while Allison Forsythe, Autumn Riddell and Aubrey O’Connell recorded first-half attempts for CCBC Essex.
Fighting Owls Protect Championship Lead
Harford Community College finished with a 16-6 advantage in shots and an 8-2 edge in shots on goal. Sydney McLaughlin hit the crossbar with a shot at 51:40, and Hailey Cain recorded two second-half attempts.
CCBC Essex managed two second-half shots, with one reaching the target. Casey Reese forced Harford goalkeeper Olivia Wollschlager into a save in the 57th minute, and O’Connell tested Wollschlager again in the 86th minute.
Wollschlager made two saves and recorded the shutout. Allyson Foos made six saves for CCBC Essex, which conceded both goals during the opening 20 minutes.
Rebecca Volk Credits Team Effort
Harford head coach Rebecca Volk said the players followed the team’s plan and supported one another throughout the championship match.
“I’m proud of our players overall and happy for them that they got the chance to prove themselves,” said head coach Rebecca Volk. “We knew that all we had to do to win this game was execute our strategy and encourage each other through the moments where the energy moved against us.”
Volk also emphasized the collective effort behind Harford’s fifth consecutive Region 20 championship.
“It was truly a team effort and a team result from start to finish,” Volk said. “To see them control nearly every aspect of the match as a result of their preparation and hard work was really rewarding.”
Harford Advances to NJCAA East District Championship
Harford Community College will travel Friday to face Sussex County Community College in the NJCAA East District championship. Kickoff is scheduled for noon.
The winner will earn a berth in the NJCAA Division II Women’s Soccer Championships in Huntsville, Alabama.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
Harford Community College women’s soccer used two early goals and an 8-2 advantage in shots on goal to secure its fifth consecutive NJCAA Region 20 championship. The title also marked the program’s first Region 20 championship at the Division II level.
The Fighting Owls now face Sussex County Community College in the NJCAA East District championship, with a berth in the NJCAA Division II Women’s Soccer Championships at stake.
Source: Original report
