Women’s soccer advances to first-ever regional tournament final, falls to Palm Beach Atlantic
Posted by The Skyliner on December 2nd, 2009Paul Conner
Sports Editor
Leah Ward and Ashlyn Henderson propelled the women’s soccer team to the first round of the NCCAA regional tournament, but Palm Beach Atlantic topped the Lady Crusaders 2-1 in the regional final at Emmanuel College in Franklin Springs, Ga.
Ward, junior sport management, and Henderson, sophomore outdoor leadership, each scored for North Greenville in the first round against Southern Wesleyan to send the Lady Crusaders to the final. The regional final was the first in the program’s history.
“It was great to make it to the regional final, and we were right there at the end of the game,” said North Greenville coach Jesse McCormick. “The ladies put everything into it, and that’s all you can ask.”
North Greenville (13-8) took the lead when Ward scored in the 29th minute and carried the 1-0 lead into halftime. The Sailfish scored just after halftime to tie the match and scored the game winner in the 52nd minute.
“We played a strong first half and were really able to frustrate them,” McCormick said. “They came out in the second half, and the early goal helped them a lot.”
Ward, Hayley Williams, junior linguistics and early childhood education, and Jessica Binkley, senior health and wellness, were named to the NCCAA All-Region team.
“We are certainly looking forward to next season,” McCormick said. “We will need to fill key positions, but I’m excited for the progress we’re making and all the new players. We’re looking to bring in players who love the game, work hard, and want to do well.”
North Greenville will graduate four seniors—Binkley, Kaleigh Meara, sport management, Beth Morgan, health and wellness, and Danielle Duff, sport management.
“Our goal was to make it to nationals, and we came really close,” McCormick said. “We keep taking bigger steps, so hopefully we can take it another step next season.”
North Greenville won three out of their first four games. From Sept. 17 to Oct. 22, the Lady Crusaders won six out of eight games.
North Greenville’s only losing streak came towards the end of the season when the Lady Crusaders fell to Palm Beach Atlantic and King College in the final two games of the regular season.
The Lady Crusaders then defeated Truett McConnell 1-0 in the regional play-in game to book their place at the regional tournament.
North Greenville avenged a 2-1 loss to Southern Wesleyan on Sept. 5 to advance to the regional final against Palm Beach Atlantic.
“I was happy with how we played [against Southern Wesleyan], especially with how we were able to capitalize on our opportunities,” McCormick said. “We also possessed for the majority of the game, which was nice to see.”
Binkley and the Lady Crusader defense recorded nine shutouts on the year.
Tags: Fall 2009, Vol. 109 - Issue 11