By Zack Ciboth, Sports Editor
Winning a Conference Championship is nice, but winning your third straight Conference title is even better, and that’s what the UNC Pembroke women’s soccer team got to experience Sunday night when they took on the Belmont Abbey Crusdaers. The #1 seeded Braves and the #2 seeded Crusaders faced off for the Conference Carolinas Championship at Bryan Park. The Braves scored fast and controlled the match’s pace, claiming the championship 2-1.
“It’s tough to describe. Obviously, I think to win three championships in any sport, I don’t care what sport it is, men’s, women’s, professional, amateur, college, it is really difficult. And this league is progressively getting better. I wanna give a lot of credit to Coach Mike Lynch and Coach Jaime Malilong at Belmont Abbey. They’re incredible coaches and they have a class act of team,” UNCP soccer coach Lars Andersson said.
34 seconds was all it took to score a goal for the Braves when Ashleigh Harris placed a perfect ball past the goalie off an assist from Anna Grossheim. That set the tone early for the Braves as two minutes later, Abigail Lowry sent a ball over the goalie’s head off an assist from Mercy Bell to quickly go up 2-0. That would remain the score heading into halftime.
The second half saw the Crusaders score in the first five minutes when Hayley Long connected with Logan Perry to make it 2-1.As time was winding down the Braves defense was holding strong as they stepped up big to help secure the title for the third straight time.
“You can’t dream up a better start, we scored two goals before the game really started and the one thing you can’t do is give up a goal on the first few minutes of the second half and we gave up one three minutes in. So then it’s like can we get reorganized, settle down a play. I think we can say we were the better team in the first half and they (Belmont Abbey) were slightly better in the second half and I’m so proud of these ladies for seeing the game out,” Andersson said.
“I think all of the team, even including the coaches, you know first thing we talked about was that this game matters and we came out here and played hard. Even Belmont Abbey they gave us their best and we came out here to win,” Lowry said.
Lowry and Harris combined for the eight shots, including their respective goals in the 1st and 3rd minutes. Grossheim’s assist marked it her 34th career, and Bell had her fourth assist of the season.
” I think that is was super exciting, but we also had to remember to stay focused and stay composed and not let our guard down but it gave us a lot of energy, but we just really needed to make sure we stay focused and didn’t let that get to our heads,” Harris said.
The All tournament team awards were announced as well. Representing UNC Pembroke was Lowry, Harris, Maria Cancio, Nicole Cook, and Freya Lodge Whitham, with the MVP of the tournament going to Harris.
“It was some minor tweaks and I knew we’d get it right in the end. we’ve obviously very well for weeks, and going into the conference tournament I was confident that this team would eventually get it right, I take none of the credit when we win, I give it all to the team. The leadership on this team is amazing,” Andersson said on the growth he has seen this season.
The Braves (12-3-3) will be the #7 seed in the NCAA Division II women’s soccer tournament where they will face #2 seeded Catawba (17-2-1) on Thursday in the opening round of the tournament at Catawba. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.
” Well, I think when you enter into the NCAA tournament, particularly as a conference champion you have to ask yourself are you satifised and do you still have the drive. I believe 100% that this team has the drive and desire and the will to make a run in the NCAA’s and I can’t wait to begin that journey with them,” Andersson said.