Knights Women's Soccer Pulls Away with Five Second Half Goals, Downs Catamounts 6-0

Rosedale, Md. -- The reigning NJCAA Women's Soccer Division II Mid-Atlantic champions started the fall 2021 season off last night on a high note, as the Knights won 6-0 in front of a home crowd.

Essex endured a first half weather delay of over an hour and netted five second half goals to give Steve King his first victory as a college head coach.

" I'm very happy with the win," King said. "We had a good preseason and to see the effort carry over was great." 

Kara Dietrich (Perry Hall) picked up where she left off in the spring, finishing with three goals and two assists. She now has 81 career goals in just 37 games. 

"I thought it was a great performance from Kara," King said. "Had a couple missed chances early on, it would have been easy to get frustrated, but she kept her composure and kept creating a chances, and we knew it was just a matter of time before she got one."  

Dietrich opening the scoring in the 17th minute of play.

Just 28 seconds out of halftime, Kylie Staubitz (Sparrows Point) netted her first collegiate goal on a rare double-assist from Dietrich and Zaida Holloway (Perry Hall).

Things were quiet until the 71st minute when Sam Dorr (North County) notched her sixth career goal to put the Knighs up 3-0. 

Dietrich added unassisted goals in the 80th and 83rd minutes of play.

Holloway capped the scoring with her sixth career goal in the 88th minute. 

""First game of the year, home and region opener, it was important to start well and we did," King said. " Now we have to build on it and continue with a good performance on Saturday."   

The Knights are back on the pitch tomorrow at home, as they host the Harcum Bears. Game time is scheduled for 12 p.m.