Women’s soccer team ties for first in conference regular season

This past weekend the Lady Scots sealed a first-place tie for the 2017 USA South Conference with an 8-0 win over LaGrange on Oct. 21. With a matching overall record of six wins, zero losses, and one tie, Maryville and Piedmont College both share the score to a regular season title.

Maryville started their impressive winning streak on Sept. 14, against Berea College 8-0. Since then, the team has not lost a game and tied only to the reigning Conference tournament champions, Piedmont College.

After their crushing win over Berea, the team clenched a close victory over Transylvania College by coming back from a 1-0 deficit in the first half. The game on Sept. 17 finished 2-1, with goals by Junior forward Yarissa Castro and Senior midfielder Kara Tubb.

The ladies then returned home for two modest victories over Wesleyan and Ferrum Colleges on Sept. 23 and 24. The scores for both games ended in a 3-0 victory. A standout performance from this weekend came from Freshman forward, Bailey Sipos, who earned herself four total goals from the two games.

The team gained confidence as the season rolled on, and they carried that to the following weeks’ matches. First the team faced Brevard in a midweek matchup and earned a 3-1 victory. Goals came from Sophomore midfielder Hannah Clothier and transfer Sophomore forward Shannon Reagan, who worked to put two goals in the back of the net.

Following that game, the team earned a 2-0 victory over Conference rival Covenant College on Oct 3. Freshman Jenna Clothier and Reagan both found the net for the win.

The Lady Scots then smothered Berea College for another impressive win of 10-0 in an all-round great team effort on Oct. 4. The team showed great enthusiasm and continuing grit for yet another great road win.

The busy game schedule didn’t slow the team, however, because they moved on to another 3-1 victory on Oct. 7 against the brutal Huntingdon College in what would turn out to be one of the most physical games of the season. The opponent proved to be no match for the Lady Scots, who dominated the team both skillfully and physically.

Following the tough win over Huntingdon, Maryville crushed Agnes Scott the following day in a 5-0 victory. This game proved to be strictly a mental battle due to the inclement, stormy weather and terrible field conditions. However, the team stuck it out strong and proved to be victorious.

The Lady Scots met their match on Oct. 14, in a battle against Piedmont College, a Conference game that ended in a 2-2 tie after two overtimes. Jenna Clothier put in the first goal, a beautifully placed direct kick outside of the 18-yard box in the 34th minute. Piedmont then tied it up in the second half in the 59th minute, causing an uproar from the Piedmont crowd. Maryville then regained the lead off a corner kick deflection scored by Reagan, but Piedmont wasn’t yet willing to give up. In the 81st minute, they tied the game, sending the teams into two scoreless overtimes.

Both Piedmont and Maryville are undefeated in Conference and share the only tie in each of their records, so the Conference title will be shared between the two teams.

“Being tied for first place is outstanding, since we were projected third or fourth in preseason,” said Sophomore transfer and starting center defender, Kelly Allen.“This team is full of players who are hard workers. Our players have learned how to play more physically. We do not go down easily.”

The team has high hopes for the pre-season tournament, and even have a chance to host through the finals.

“For us to get the Conference Title, we need to stay focused on our goals,” Allen said. “We control our own position at this point.”

The team is gearing up for their first post-season game that will be played Saturday, Oct. 28. More details on opponents, locations and times will be posted on Maryville College’s website.