WSOC PROVES STRONGER WITH SECOND HALF SURGE; MSOC WINS THRILLER IN FINAL MINUTES
The Hagerstown WSOC team started off the day in unfamiliar territory on Thursday afternoon by going into a 2-1 deficit in just the 23rd minute of the game after an unassisted Bayley Copsey goal from College of Southern Maryland. The Hawks of CSM proved to be a worthy opponent as they kept the ball in their offensive end for the majority of the first half. The Lady Hawks of HCC simply could not be denied though as Phenom freshman True Benshoff tapped in 3 more goals from that point making her total of 4 on the day. Sophomores Serenity Anderson and Braelynn Whetsell also added a goal each in the second half and pushed their lead to 6-3 which ended up being the final score at the final whistle. Other contributors for HCC were Peyton Miller who added 3 assists and Amelia Beck-Schmeider, 1 assist. It was a tale of two halves as Hagerstown simply could not be contained after the intermission. They now look forward to Saturday, 10/12, as they travel to Harford College in a matchup with major playoff implications. That game is slated to begin at 1PM and the winner will earn a bye in the first round of postseason play in late October. The Lady Hawks also look to win their first MDJUCO regular season title in HCC History. YOU CAN DO IT HAWKS!!!
The Hagerstown MSOC team was in a constant battle throughout all 90 minutes as the score stayed locked in a stalemate of 0-0 for practically the entire game. You could cut the tension with a knife as each time the opposing team got close to the goal anything could happen. CSM scored what would've been the go-ahead goal in 87th minute but a foul during the play negated the effort. Hagerstown knew this was their chance to capitalize as they connected on passes down the field during a well-executed counterattack. Winger Ben Rankin saw an opening in the defense, so he played the ball diagonal to a streaking Alan Paz just to the right of the far post. Paz then played the ball just inside of the opposing defender to freshman forward Johann Avarca who one-timed it in for the game sealing goal in 89th minute snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. It was a thrilling day all around for both Hagerstown soccer teams, particular the MSOC team as they move to 8-7 on the season. They now set their sights on Prince George's Community College as they host them next Tuesday, October 15th, at 4PM at Hagerstown Soccer Field in their final conference matchup of the season. Please come out and cheer on our HAWKS!!!
For full women's stats visit https://athletics.hagerstowncc.edu/sports/wsoc/2024-25/boxscores/20241010_lz4l.xml and for full men's stats visit https://athletics.hagerstowncc.edu/sports/msoc/2024-25/boxscores/20241010_rckk.xml