District tournament win sends SCC women's soccer to national tournament

Published: 11/10/2014

“I knew that if we could come out and play for all 90 minutes, we could win,” said Josh Tyler, SCC women’s soccer coach. “It was the first time all year we were able to accomplish that.”

Just a week prior, the SCC Cougars won the Region XVI championship to advance to the district championship. SCC entered the district championship game as the 16^th ranked team in the nation, taking on the undefeated, seventh ranked team in the nation, SWIC. 

Twenty-four minutes into the district championship game, SCC defender Amanda Buhmann struck the ball toward the goal, and SCC midfielder Christina Conley was there to score the follow up shot. The Cougars led 1-0 heading into halftime.

SWIC opened the second half with two quick goals, taking the lead, 2-1.

With 22 minutes left in the game, SCC midfielder Sarah O’Leary scored a perfectly placed shot from 25 yards out with an assist from SCC forward Alyssa Coons. Minutes later, Conley continued to build the team’s momentum by finding the back of the net, but the goal was called back on an obstruction call. 

“It’s always tough when you get a goal called back like that,” said Tyler. “I didn’t have a great view of the foul, so it’s hard for me to say if it was the right call or not.”

The game remained tied at 2-2 until an assist from Coons helped SCC forward Raven Loughridge score, putting the Cougars in the lead 3-2.

The clock ticked down, and the SCC fans counted down from 10 seconds to celebrate the team’s first trip to the national tournament in the SCC women soccer team’s history.

SCC Goalkeeper Katie Martin made 16 saves during the district championship game, helping to lead the Cougars to victory.

“We busted our butts this season and made our goal of winning regionals, and we went above and beyond that,” said Morganne Dugger, SCC freshman captain. “I’m so proud of our team and how far we’ve come. All our hard work has paid off.”

“It was truly the best I have seen the team play,” said Tyler. “The game was all about heart and leaving everything on the field, and I know every player walked off the field knowing they just gave that game everything they had, and it earned them a trip to nationals!” 

SCC is one of only 12 teams in the nation to qualify for the national tournament to be hosted by Eastern Florida State in Melbourne, Fla., Nov. 17-22.

“I’m extremely pleased with the achievements of the women’s soccer team so far this season,” said Chris Gober, director of athletics at SCC. “I look forward to watching their success continue at nationals.”

For more information about the national tournament and to watch the games live, visit njcaa.org.

St. Charles Community College is a public, comprehensive two-year community college with associate degrees and certificate programs in the arts, business, sciences and career-technical fields. SCC provides workforce training and community-based personal and professional development as well as cultural, recreational and entertainment opportunities. For more information, visit stchas.edu.