Women's Soccer: Knights Kickoff Classic Wrap Up
By Billy Owens
BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD -- The Knight's women split their first two matches of the 2018 season as part of the 5th Annual CCBC Essex Knights Soccer Kickoff Classic hosted at CCBC Essex Stadium.
The Knights fell to No. 16-ranked Monroe College 10-1 Saturday morning before triumphing over Onondaga Community College 4-0 Sunday morning.
"We have a lot to work on," interim head coach Joe Fiedler said. "We learned a lot about our team this weekend and we've got to tweak some things."
Sunday, the Knights (1-1) earned its first win of the season with a 4-0 decision against the Onondaga Lazers (0-2).
Essex got on the board less than 10 minutes into the first half, as sophomore midfielder Bailey D'Amico (Perry Hall) netted a goal with assists by freshman forward Kaci Davis (Sparrows Point) and freshman midfielder Mia Ramirez (Mercy).
With that early lead established, the Knights kept the Lazers on their toes the entire half and dominated in both offensive pressure and possession.
This pressure continued into the second half, as Essex racked up a total of 16 shots and 12 shots on goal over the course of the day.
D'Amico scored her second goal of the day less than 10 minutes into the second half, off an assist by freshman forward Mikayla Boyle (Eastern Tech). Boyle would then score her own unassisted goal in the 64th minute for a 3-0 lead.
Midway through the half, tragedy struck the Knights as Davis went down with what has been confirmed as a broken wrist. The time table for her return as not yet been set.
Onondaga would surrender one more goal later in the second half, as Ramirez kicked Essex to a 4-0 lead with 20 minutes remaining.
Goalkeeper Peyton Apruzzese (Severna Park) was rock solid Sunday, saving all four shots on goal to preserve the shutout win.
"One thing we've been working on is aggression to the ball, and it paid off today," Fiedler said.
Saturday, the Knights were defeated 10-1 by the 16th ranked Monroe Mustangs (2-0).
Less than five minutes into the opening half, Apruzzese suffered a foot injury and sat out the rest of the half as Davis filled in as the emergency goalkeeper.
Monroe took full advantage of the goalie change, blasting 22 shot in just the first half alone.
The Mustangs cashed in on eight goals in the half, with sophomore midfielders Juliana Pires and Maria Santin combining for five of them.
Once Apruzzese returned in the second, Monroe's offensive dominance wavered slightly as the starting goalkeeper only allowed two more goals for the rest of the game.
Essex's lone goal of the day came courtesy of an 80th minute penalty kick by Boyle.
"They're very good," Fiedler said. "They're probably the best team we'll play all year by far."
The Knights will look to continue their winning ways on Thursday evening as they host Harcum College. First ball is scheduled for 5 p.m.