BALTIMORE — The Harford Community College women's soccer team scored twice in the second half to defeat Anne Arundel Community College, 2-0, Tuesday at Under Armour Stadium in front of an estimated 250 spectators.
After a scoreless opening 45 minutes, Harford broke through in the 71st minute when Macy Forest (Perryville) scored at 70:12 with an assist from Sydney Stoneback (North Harford). Victoria Mendez (C. Milton Wright) added another goal just over three minutes later to give the Fighting Owls a 2-0 advantage.
Harford controlled much of the offensive action throughout the match, finishing with 21 shots compared to five for Anne Arundel. The Fighting Owls (1-0-1) also placed 11 shots on goal, while the Riverhawks (0-1-0) recorded just three shots on target.
The Fighting Owls generated several scoring opportunities in the first half but could not find the net. Mendez had a shot blocked in the 17th minute before Lila Vincenti (Havre de Grace) forced a save from the Riverhawks keeper at 18:23. Mendez tested the Anne Arundel goalie again at 23:42, while Anna Paff (Abingdon, Md.) hit the crossbar with a shot at 25:39.
Grace Manager (Perry Hall Christian School) also had a shot saved at 28:22, and Harford continued to pressure the Riverhawks late in the half. Hailey Cain (Harford Christian School) and Sydney McLaughlin (Fallston) each recorded shots in the final six minutes, but the match remained scoreless at halftime.
"At halftime, I told the team that we had too much of the ball to go into the second half without anything to show for it on the scoreboard," said head coach Rebecca Volk. "We found out at College of Southern Maryland [last Friday] that possession doesn't win games if we can't convert, so I put some pressure on our attacking players to create better shots and be relentless in the efforts to put the ball in the back of the net."
Anne Arundel had three shots in the opening half, with two coming from Maddie Raynes that were saved by Wollschlager. The Riverhawks also earned two corner kicks during the first 45 minutes.
Harford continued its offensive pressure after halftime. Maribella Sanchez (Harford Technical) forced a save from Riverhawks keeper Ryleigh Smoot at 48:33, while Cain had a shot blocked and another go wide less than four minutes later. Forest also put a second-half shot on goal at 52:30.
The breakthrough came at 70:12 when Forest scored the first goal of the match, with Stoneback providing the assist. Mendez followed at 73:34 to double the Fighting Owls' lead.
Harford continued to create chances after the second goal. Cain had three additional shots, including two saves by Smoot, while Sanchez and Vincenti also forced saves in the final 10 minutes.
Harford goalkeeper Olivia Wollschlager (Kenwood) played all 90 minutes and recorded three saves to earn her first collegiate shutout.
"Olivia was great for us in the back, on and off the ball," Volk said. "You could hear her all game talking players through their options and keeping our backs together. That kind of leadership and communication is what sets teams apart."
Volk also said she thought Harford's center backs were outstanding and efficient against a proven region foe.
"I was proud of our overall team energy and support for each other despite our scoring struggles," Volk said. "The talk on the field was always encouragement and willing each other forward. It's clear that they have a lot of trust and belief in each other."
