Women's Soccer: Knights Go 1-1 in Opening Weekend

Baltimore County, Md. -- The Knights women's soccer team finished 1-1 at the Knights Kickoff Classic to open the 2019 season. Freshman Ryleigh Fachler (Perry Hall) put a cross from sophomore Mikayla Boyle (Eastern Tech) by the Harcum keeper eight minutes into overtime of Sunday's game to give Essex the 4-3 victory. 

CCBC Essex will not play again until September 3 when they host Montgomery College to open conference and regional play. 

The Knights (1-1-0) trailed early after Harcum's Sierra Tarantino open the scoring in the 8th minute of play.

Freshman Kara Dietrich (Perry Hall) answered for the Knights in the 22nd minute with her first goal of the season. 

It remained 1-1 heading into halftime. 

About four minutes after the break, Natasha Dudley gave the Bears a 2-1 lead on an assist from Tarantino. 

Freshman Dani Zacierka (Sparrows Point) evened the score in the 52nd minute of play and then put the Knights ahead in the 60th minute. The former goal assisted by Boyle. 

The Bears (1-1-0) tied the game nearly 20 minutes later on a goal from Kaeleigh Serianna, which would eventuall force overtime.

Fachler would score the game-winner in the 98th minute to give the Knights their first victory of the season. 

Freshman goalie Sam Tornatore (Eastern Tech) played stoutly between the pipes, finishing with nine saves on 21 - 12 on goal - Bears' shots.

"Anytime you get a victory it's a good thing," said Knights head coach Joe Fiedler. "Honestly, I didn't even know Fachler's shot went in. Then we saw everyone jumping around and I was happy. I think we showed a lot of resilience and heart, which was good. We had a tough day the day before and we come back and played hard, which was great."

The Day Before

The Knights fell Saturday 15-0 to defending NJCAA national champion Monroe in its season opener. 

Monroe showed no signs of rust after winning the championship last season, scoring eight first half goals.

While Tornatore was in goal and allowed those scores, her play on Mustang break aways probably saved another three goals. She finished with six saves. 

Sophomore Peyton Apruzzese (Severna Park) played the second half in goals and allowed seven goals. She finished with four saves. 

Dietrich took three of the Knights four shots, with two landing on goal. 

Harcum Box Score

Monroe Box Score

*Patrick Coonan and Nick Guido contributed to this article.