Late Goal Sends Sussex Past Women's Soccer in District Championship
Riverhawks record back-to-back double-digit win seasons for the first time since 2012
| Final | 1 | 2 | T |
|---|---|---|---|
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1 | 1 | 2 |
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1 | 0 | 1 |
Team Stats
Sussex County Community College
| Game Statistics | Sussex County Community College | AACC |
|---|---|---|
| Shots (on goal) | 11 (9) | 12 (8) |
| Saves | 7 | 7 |
| Fouls | 8 | 8 |
| Corner Kicks | 3 | 5 |
| Offsides | 3 | 4 |
ARNOLD, Md. – The No. 18 Anne Arundel Community College women's soccer team fell to visiting Sussex Community College, 2-1, in the NJCAA DII East District Championship at Siegert Field Friday afternoon. The Skylanders broke the tie in the 86th minute.
Riley Sheets scored for the Riverhawks (15-4), while Eva Gionis picked up the assist. AACC keeper Ryleigh Smoot finished with seven saves.
The Skylanders (13-2) got on the board in the 19th minute as Sage Henry carried a long pass from the keeper before dumping it into the opposite side of the net. The Skylanders appeared to have scored again just six minutes later, but were whistled offside.
AACC had many chances throughout the game, and finally connected in the 36th minute when Sheets headed in a cross from Gionis.
In the second half, AACC kept the pressure on, but couldn't convert its many chances into the lead. In the 56th minute, Smoot scooped up an attempt off an indirect kick and sent it back the length of the field, but the Riverhawks forwards couldn't win the footrace to the ball.
In the 76th minute, Sussex keeper Naelle Jouan punched out a cross from Kat Budowski, right to the foot of Emma Miga, whose shot was blocked and went directly back out to Sheets, but her shot sailed just high of the net.
AACC kept pressing, allowing the Skylanders only a handful of trips past midfield, but each offensive attempt somehow came up empty.
Miga battled a defender in the 78th minute, seeing her shot turned away by Jouan. A centering pass from Miga in the 81st found Alyssa Simms, but her one-timer flew over the net. On the Skylanders' next possession, Smoot kept the game tied with a clutch save in a one-on-one situation. Sussex's next attempt – a free kick from 25 yards out – clanged off the crossbar.
But in the 86th minute, a Riverhawks clear attempt ricocheted off a teammate directly to the foot of Leah English. English played it through to Henry, who beat Smoot one-on-one for the game-winner.
AACC outshot Sussex, 12-11, but both keepers finished with seven saves. AACC held a slim lead in corners at 5-3.
The Riverhawks finished the season with their second-straight Region 20 title and recorded back-to-back double-digit win seasons for the first time since 2012.