Volleyball, Mens, Womens Soccer All Post Winning Seasons
Student athletes on the College of Southern Marylands volleyball, mens soccer and womens soccer teams had a lot in common this fall: they all reached the Maryland Junior College Conference (MDJUCO) Region XX tournament and walked away with plaques, medals, recognition and awards.
“Fall was a great season for CSM athletics. All three teams had winning records with womens soccer earning their 100th win and earning their first Maryland JUCO championship in more than a decade, said CSM Director of Student Life and Athletics Michelle Ruble. We are proud of all three teams and their accomplishments.”
The Lady Hawks soccer team entered the Region XX tournament as the No. 1 seed and attained an automatic bid for the championship. The team played Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC)-Essex during the regular season and had tied in overtime and they were confident as they approached their post-season match-up with Essex. For the Region XX tournament the team would have the help of freshman Alysse Houston, who had missed the Essex regular season game with an injury, according to CSM Athletics Coordinator Nicholas Williams.
We lost the championship by a score of 1-0 and although it was a disappointing loss, the team had a very successful season and is looking forward to next year and making another run for the national tournament, said Williams.
The Lady Hawks soccer team finished the season 11-4-1 overall and 6-1-1 in conference play with fourth-season head coach Adam Sanchez earning the MDJUCO coach of the year award.
Six athletes received numerous awards for their performance during the season: Houston, of Hughesville, and Erin Kelly, of Leonardtown, received All-Region XX First Team and All MDJUCO First Team; Brooke Carter, of Temple Hills, Kelsey Major, of Waldorf, and Katie Howard, of Dunkirk, received All Region XX First Team and All MDJUCO Second Team; and Chanel Allen, of Indian Head, received All Region XX Second Team. The womens soccer program celebrated its 100th win as well as naming Major their winningest CSM womens soccer player.
The volleyball team finished the regular season with a 15-16 overall record and 7-3 conference record, and ended the season a Region XX runner-up. The Lady Hawks entered the Region XX tournament the No. 4 seed and faced Frederick Community College, Essex and Hagerstown Community College. In the best-of-three format, CSM had a decisive victory against Frederick and a tie-breaking win against Essex before falling to Hagerstown. Winning two out of three matches, CSM advanced to semi-finals and won against Allegany Community College before losing to Hagerstown in the championship match.
Athletes receiving awards for All Tournament Team Region XX were Eryn Fullard, of La Plata, and Taylor White and Kim Brewer, both of Waldorf, were named All Region XX Second Team, with White earning All Region XX Honorable Mention.
The mens soccer team finished the regular season 8-6 overall and 8-3 in conference play reaching the post-season tournament as the No. 2 seed behind Harford Community College. For the first game, the Hawks drew long-time rival Essex, which they had beat in a second overtime during the regular season. The Hawks were confident they could make a run for the regional championship and repeat as winners from the previous season, Williams said.
The entire regulation game was a battle back and forth for the Hawks. Each team had opportunities but neither could capitalize, said Williams. The gameas it always does with these two teamswent into overtime. Golden goal time was set and the first one to score would win. Essex charged the net and CSM goalie William Thomas made a great diving save to keep the team alive. CSM turned the ball over at mid-field and Essex scored with a minute remaining.
Sophomore Steve Njike, of Cameroon, led the team in goals with 10 on the season and 21 points. Freshman Valere Songong, of Laurel, led the team in assists with three on the year and six points, and freshman goalkeeper Thomas, of Waldorf, ended the year with a save percentage of .783. Team captain Kyle Toepfer, of Prince Frederick, led the defense with three shut-outs on the year.
Athletes receiving awards were Njike with All MDJUCO First-Team and All Region XX First Team; Toepfer with All MDJUCO Second-Team and All Region XX First Team; Ryan Garvin, of Hughesville, with All MDJUCO Second-Team and All Region XX First Team; and Thomas with All Region XX Second Team.
For information on CSM athletics, visit http://www.csmd.edu/Athletics/.