VIRGINIA BEACH, Va.—The Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) women's soccer team played to a 1-1 record in Pool A of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) National Tournament last weekend suffering defeat to #1 UC-Clermont and eventual tournament champions 6-2, before logging the program's first ever win at the national tournament with a 4-0 result over #5 Penn State University-Brandywine.
L, 6-2 vs. #1 UC-Clermont | BOX
The top-seeded Cougars totaled two quick goals to begin the contest and another before time expired in the first half. SMCC fell down 4-0 minutes into the second before first-year Logan Pray (Cumberland, Maine) gave the SeaWolves life with a finish on a bouncing ball that landed behind the Clermont defense at the 60:16 mark.
First-year Desiree Veilleux (Winslow, Maine) connected with a long-range looper that beat the Clermont keeper over the top for her third goal of her rookie season in the 74th minute. The Cougars put away a goal on either end of the second SMCC score to maintain a four-goal advantage.
View the photo gallery of the game HERE—courtesy of Derek Guimond.
W, 4-0 vs. #5 Penn State- Brandywine | BOX
The SeaWolves broke the first half stalemate four minutes into the second when Pray finished a cross from junior captain Ryleigh Lord (Pittsfield, Maine) to fuel SMCC's first lead of the tournament. It was Pray again, this time unassisted, to double the SeaWolf lead at 71:21.
Junior captain Callie O'Brien (South Portland, Maine) netted career goals number 48 and 49 in her final game as a SeaWolf in a 7-minute span to finish the contest at 4-0. O'Brien will leave SMCC as the all-time leader in points at 105—nearly double the second place ranking.
The SeaWolves defensive unit recorded its 12th shutout of the season. Following the contest, Pray was named to the USCAA All-Tournament team totaling three goals over the weekend.
View the photo gallery of the game HERE—courtesy of Derek Guimond.
In a post-game interview, Head Coach Ethan Wells reflected, "I'm very pleased with the way the team responded on day two and avenge an otherwise uncharacteristic performance against Clermont. Although we didn't advance out of pool play, team morale is high after accomplishing a first for the program—a victory in Virginia Beach. I thank the alumni and parents who made the trip to support! I look forward to the offseason and begin building for 2020."
The Lady SeaWolves conclude their season at 13-2-1 overall, with the most wins ever in program history.
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