Posted: Jun 02, 2021

Women's Soccer: Knights Arrive in Georgia for National Tournament

By Rocco Geppi

Evans, Ga. -- At just after 7 p.m. yesterday, the No. 3 seeded Knights arrived in Evans, Ga. for the NJCAA Division II Women's Soccer Championships.

"It feels great to be here," said defender, Sam Wilson. "We set this goal at the beginning of the season, and to be here makes all the hard work throughout the year worth it."

The Knights (9-2) are looking to do something the program has not done since 1993...win a national championship.

Essex's journey on the pitch begins on Friday afternoon against College of Lake County and continues two days later versus Jones College in the pool-play round. Both games are scheduled for 5 p.m.

"I think to win our group, it will take a lot of hard work and communication," said Wilson, who will attend and play soccer at Stevenson University this fall. "Our shape in the back will be a key factor, and if we work as a team, I'm confident we will advance."

Head coach Joe Fiedler agrees.

"Our shape defensively will decide the game," Fiedler said. "We are not a complete possession team, we're more like a counter team. Taking our best chances will be the key. We need to get off to a good start, and be patient with taking our chances."

Should the Knights win its group, it's on to the knock-out round, with the semifinals scheduled for June 8 and the national championship June 9.

CCBC Essex earned an automatic bid on May 22, defeating Howard 2-1 to win the NJCAA Division II Mid-Atlantic District title.

This is the first time in program history the Knights will appear in consecutive national tournaments, having previously played in fall 2019. The fall 2020 season was postponed to spring 2021, due to COVID-19.

The Knights enter the tournament with the nation's top goal scorer and an impressive back line.

Kara Dietrich (Perry Hall) enters the tournament with 25 goals and 58 points - both rank No. 1 across all divisions of the NJCAA. She has scored 77 goals and 169 points in just 34 career games.

One of the keys to Dietrich's success this season has been the ball movement at midfield and the ability to capitalize on opportunities created by her teammates.

"The back line does a great job of distributing the ball up, and with the midfield making more runs off the ball, it allows more scoring opportunities," Dietrich said.

Ryleigh Fachler (Perry Hall), Sam Dorr (North County), Zaida Holloway (Perry Hall), Lydia McGarvey (Parkville) and Eleni Serevetas (Perry Hall), are all amoung the team leaders in assists.

On the back line, Wilson, Serevetas, Caroline Warns (Mercy) and company have done a fantastic job limiting the scoring chances for opponents.

Through 11 games, the Knights defense has allowed just seven goals, and in five games, four shots or fewer.

Goalkeeper Jennifer Holland (Perry Hall Christian) has only faced 40 shots on goal this season. She has made 33 saves and owns a 0.65 goals against average.