Women's Soccer: Knights Season Recap
By Rocco Geppi
Rosedale, Md. -- Knights women's soccer finished its 2020-2021 campaign on June 6th at the NJCAA Division II Women's Soccer Championships in Evans, Ga. and despite exiting 0-2 in pool play, the season was another example of how bright the future is for the program.
In the first season of NJCAA Division II play, this year's team won the first district title (Mid-Atlantic) and made back-to-back appearances at the national tournament for the first time in program history.
The Knights (9-4) began the season 4-0, outscoring opponents 25-2 over that span.
Essex was +44 for the season, outscoring the opposition 57-13.
After a loss to Howard on April 27th, the Knights went on a three-game winning streak, before dropping their second of the season to Howard in the Region 20 final.
CCBC would then win its NJCAA Mid-Atlantic District semifinal game 2-0 against Sussex, setting up a third meeting with Howard.
This time the Knights got the best of the Dragons, handing them their first loss of the season and earning an automatic qualifier to the national tournament.
All three games versus Howard produced 2-1 final scores.
Next, it was off to Evans, Ga. for the inaugural NJCAA Division II national tournament.
Essex received a No. 3 seed and were grouped with College of Lake County (Grayslake, Ill.) and Jones College (Ellisville, Miss.).
The Knights scored first in game one of pool play versus Lake County. Zaida Holloway (Perry Hall, Md.) finished a pass from Lydia Morris (Baltimore, Md.) in the 7th minute.
The Lancers scored three unanswered goals over the next 35 minutes and took a 3-1 lead into halftime.
Kara Dietrich (Perry Hall, Md.) scored in the 54th minute on a beautiful volley from Eleni Serevetas (Perry Hall, Md.) to pull the Knights to within one.
Unfortunately for Essex, Dietrich's goal capped the scoring and the Knights fell 3-2.
Essex dropped game two to Jones 3-0, despite a brilliant game by goalkeeper Jennifer Holland (Nottingham, Md.) which saw the freshman make nine saves.
The Knights finished the season ranked No. 5 in the country and were ranked as high as No. 1 earlier this year.
Dietrich led the team and was tied for first in NJCAA - across all three divisions - with 26 goals and 60 points, which was second in the nation.
She has 78 goals and 15 assists in 36 games played for her career, and under this year's NJCAA eligibility rule, may return next season to chase down No. 100.
Holland was not only solid in goal, but finished among the nation's best in goals against average.
The converted basketball player had a 1.02 GAA, which was 18th best out of 65 qualifying goalkeepers. She made 46 saves and had a .780 save percentage.
Ryleigh Fachler (Perry Hall, Md.) was second on the team in goals (7) and assists (6). She provided stability and control at midfield and finishes Knights career with 16 goals, nine assists.
Sam Dorr (Linthicum, Md.) tied for third on the team in goals (5) and third in assists (5). Another great option for the Knights at midfield, she had a career-high two goals on May 13th vs. Southern Maryland.
Caroline Warns (Perry Hall, Md.) was a lock down defender for the Knights. She has great ball movement skills and scored her first collegiate career goal on May 13th vs. Southern Maryland
Sam Wilson (Middle River, Md.) was another lock down defender for Essex this year. Great decision making abilities, she also scored three goals this season, including a career-high two vs. Southern Maryland