The #5 ranked Howard Community College women's soccer team continued their incredible season as they defeated Harford Community College 1-0 to clinch the MD JUCO conference championship. This is the first time in the program's history to win the conference championship outright with their only other title being co-champions in 2006. The victory gives the Dragons 12 straight wins and a perfect 6-0 record in conference and 13-1 overall.
Harford CC came out hot in the start of the game, forcing Dragons goalie Darcey Bodziony (Columbia, MD, Atholton HS) into making a couple of great early saves on her way to six saves in the first half alone. Harford star Angela Kuhn, who leads the conference in shots, goals, and points, had a good shot from just outside the top of the box, but Bodziony made a solid low-diving save.
Howard CC didn't get their first shot until the 9th minute when Jen Craven (Damascus, MD, Damascus HS) hit a shot from the corner of the box that squirreled just wide of the goal. Another great chance for the Dragons in the 15th minute as a long ball from Lis Parks (Columbia, MD, St. Johns HS) just missed the foot of Nikki Manning (Sykesville, MD, South Carroll HS) who would have had an easy tap-in goal.
The Fighting Owls continued to put pressure on the Dragons when back to back corner kicks by Harford in the 39th minute were dangerous, but the Dragons were able to clear out a loose ball in the box on the second one to avoid damage.
After a very physical first half, the second stanza began with even more battling for possession and the shots were flying as much as the bodies were. However, despite the physicality of the game, the only card that was handed out on the day was to Sydney Rynn-Mason (Columbia, MD, Pallotti HS) for a late slide tackle. The Fighting Owls were again dangerous on a set piece as a corner kick in the 64th minute found Dana Waskewicz in the box but her shot went just wide of the goal.
The breakthrough in the game was in the 72nd minute as Craven was set free down the left side thanks to an agressive high press by Craven was able to cut inside the box and cross it to Elisa Mobley (Dayton, MD, Glenelg HS) for a one-touch shot into the lower left corner for her third goal of the season as the Dragon faithful went crazy with excitement.
With just under 20 minutes left, Harford turned up the heat, but the Dragons continued to play their game. Becky Manelli (Woodstock, MD, Westminster HS) in particular was the heart of the team throughout the contest with her constant pressure from the center midfielder position. The incredible back three of Parks, Celeste Costabile (Ellicott City, MD, River Hill HS), and Taylor Nowaskey (Clarksville, MD, River Hill HS) helped Bodziony collect her fifth shutout of the season as the Dragons have only given up four goals all season.
The Dragons will put their 12-game win streak on the line as they finish their regular season schedule against CCBC Catonsville on Tuesday October 20th. The game will be the final soccer game at the Dragons Lair this season and will kick-off at 4:00 PM.
