LADY HAWKS MAKE HISTORY, SECURE #1 SEED IN D1 REGION 20 POSTSEASON PLAY

The Lady Hawks of Hagerstown have become quite a feared opponent in the last few years as they've built on their recent string of success. They have continuously ticked boxes that had previously never been touched and that trend continued this week as they secured their first D1 region 20 #1 seed postseason berth just 7 games into their season. They did so by taking care of Montgomery College earlier in September with a 1-0 win on the road and worked to a stalemate with conference rival Harford CC, 2-2. They had never beat nor tied Harford CC in their program's history until this week in what was a high-powered matchup on Tuesday (9/16).

The Lady Hawks wasted no time getting the party started as freshman forward, Angie Ayala-Luna, passed a through ball to freshman midfielder, Makayla Wright, who finished the sequence with a well struck ball past the Harford keeper in the 1^st minute of the match to put Hagerstown ahead 1-0. That score stood until the beginning of the 2^nd half as Ayala-Luna earned a goal of her own in the 49^th minute from a cross by sophomore winger, Amelia Beck-Schmeider to extend the lead 2-0. Harford fought back with a well-timed long ball of their own between the Lady Hawks' center backs to which forward, Lila Vincenti, of the Owls was able to finish off with a goal to pull the score back closer at 2-1. That is when the Hawks were hit with a stroke of bad luck as an incidental handball in the box awarded Harford another goal via penalty shot by Aubrey Heise which made the score deadlocked at 2-2. That ended up being the final score as the second half came to full-time, but it was the Hawks who ended up winning in the long run. The tie put them in sole possession of the D1 Region 20 #1 seed, and they will have a first-round bye when postseason play commences in late October.

The Lady Hawks work was not done this week though as they had to turn the page on their recent success and take on respected Region 20 foe, Garrett College on Thursday (9/18). This game's script played out a bit different as Hagerstown established their dominance early and often as they went up 6-0 in the first half. Goals by Beck-Schmeider (2), Ayala-Luna, Wright, Peyton Miller, and Macy Rhinaman all helped to bust the game open quickly and break the Lakers' spirits before the second half began. Another goal by Miller put the final nail in the coffin 8 minutes into the second stanza and the Lady Hawks let off the gas for the remaining 38. Another notable performance came from freshman outside back, Jocelynn Ballengee, who added 2 assists from her defensive spot. She has been a stabilizing force in the Hawks back line which is anchored by freshman team captain, Madison Witmer (Smithsburg HS). From top to bottom, this seems to be the most complete team Hagerstown Women's Soccer has rolled out in their short history. They look poised to finish the season as a true force and show no signs of slowing down.

Their next challenge comes this weekend as they travel west to Keyser, WV to take on the Catamounts of Potomac State in yet another Region 20 duel. Their game is set for 12PM on Saturday, September 20^th. Please consider making the trip up the mountain or tuning into the match via livestream on Potomac State's athletic website.

GO HAWKS!