Lady Hawks Win Region XX Championship, Compete Next Nov. 9
The College of Southern Maryland women's soccer team, currently ranked ninth in the nation in Division I by the National Junior College Athletic Association, has made program history, winning the Region XX title in the Maryland Junior College Athletic Conference for the first time.
With a season record of 16-1-0 overall and 9-0 in the conference, the Lady Hawks continued their winning ways to claim their latest victory in the Region XX Tournament against Harford Community College, Oct. 26. They will compete against Cape Fear Community College, the Region L champion, beginning at noon on Nov. 9 at the La Plata Campus to determine who will move on to the national championship. The nationals will be at Eastern Florida State College Nov. 18-23.
In its Region XX victory, the Lady Hawks traveled to Harford as the regions No. 1 seed, going up against Harford for the second time this season. In their previous match-up, CSM had a decisive win, 3-1, against Harford. In the chase for the Region XX championship, the Lady Hawks found themselves down, 1-0, just 27 minutes into the game after Harford scored on a penalty kick.
Sophomore Captain Alysse Houston of Hughesville stepped up to the challenge, scoring on a scramble in front of the net. She was assisted by Kara Merritt of Lexington Park. Going into halftime the score remained tied at 1-1.
“The second half looked to be a battle as both teams had opportunities on set plays and free kicks,” said CSM Athletic Coordinator Nick Williams. CSM capitalized in the 61st minute as freshman Sabrain Paz of Hollywood scored on a free kick from 30 yards out. “Her goal would be the go-ahead winner in the game, and with that, the Lady Hawks claimed the Region XX Championship,” Williams added.
CSM outshot Harford 8 to 3 overall. Sophomore Jasmine Biggs of Fort Washington was in net for CSM and finished the day with three saves and no goals against.
This year the Lady Hawks won the MDJUCO Conference going undefeated in the conference with a 9-0 record. Five players have been named to the Region XX Team with Houston, Paz, Taylor Superior of Leonardtown and Brianna Williams of Waldorf on the First Team Division I, and Laura Shaner of Leonardtown named Region XX Honorable Mention.
The Lady Hawks next game will begin at noon, Nov. 9 at the La Plata Campus. For information, visit www.csmd.edu/Athletics.