CONCORD, N.H.—The Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) women's soccer team defeated the #3 Clippers from University of Maine at Machias in the semi-final game of the Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC) Final Four playoff tournament to advance to the championship game in an eventual 2-0 loss to the #1 hosts NHTI.
Semi-final Game: Saturday, Oct. 27
W, 2-1 vs. University of Maine at Machias (#3)
First-year Ryleigh Lord (Pittsfield, Maine) turned the corner on a Clipper fullback to bury a shot off the far post on a one-on-one opportunity with the Machias keeper Megan Cote at 27:05. Sophomore captain Callie O'Brien (South Portland, Maine) doubled the SMCC lead in the 79th minute blasting a shot through Cote for her 22nd cap of the season.
Machias got one back with two minutes remaining in regulation on a ball scored by Josie Griffin but the SeaWolf defense managed to hang tough for the 2-1 victory.
First-year goalkeeper Dana Sirois (Saco, Maine) made two saves on three shots on goal.
Prior to the game, YSCC All-Conference awards were announced. Junior Jessica Haskell (Saco, Maine), senior captain Emily Harris (Dayton, Maine), and O'Brien were all selected. Sirois was also named YSCC Goalkeeper of the Year.
View the photo gallery of the game HERE.
View the photo gallery of the YSCC awards ceremony HERE.
Championship Game: Sunday, Oct. 28
L, 2-0 vs. NHTI (#1)
The Lynx struck early 37 seconds into the first whistle when Maura Hart finished a ball from Michaella Biron to gain the 1-0 advantage. Hart put her team up two scores when she found a way to get one by Sirois off a corner kick at the 60:00 minute-mark.
The SeaWolves totaled more shots on goal with one more corner kick opportunity but fell short as the Lynx captured their third straight YSCC title.
Following the game, junior Sophia Zidow (Scarborough, Maine) was named Defensive Player of the Tournament.
View the photo gallery of the game HERE.
Following the weekend, the SMCC women qualified for their second ever United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) National Tournament in Virginia Beach with an at-large bid announced on Tuesday, Oct. 30. They will match up with #1 University of Cincinnati Clermont and #5 SUNY ESF as part of Pool A on Nov. 10-11.
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