BEL AIR, Md. — The Harford Community College women's soccer team used a strong second half to pull away from Carroll Community College, earning a 3-0 victory Tuesday at the Harford Sports Complex.
The Fighting Owls (4-1-1, 3-0-1 Region 20) controlled possession and generated consistent offensive pressure throughout the match, finishing with a 25-5 advantage in shots and a 14-3 edge in shots on goal. Harford also earned six corner kicks to Carroll's one.
Harford nearly opened the scoring early, but Carroll goalkeeper Emma Jewell turned away several opportunities. Sydney McLaughlin recorded Harford's first shot on goal in the 14th minute and Jewell made additional saves on attempts by Macy Forest and Sydney Stoneback late in the opening half.
The Fighting Owls also had an opportunity to take the lead from the penalty spot in the 26th minute, but McLaughlin's penalty kick went over the crossbar. Harford continued to apply pressure, with Forest and Stoneback each putting shots on goal before the breakthrough arrived in the closing minutes of the half.
At 42:55, Forest scored the game's opening goal, giving Harford a 1-0 lead heading into halftime.
Harford continued to attack after halftime. McLaughlin, Stoneback, Victoria Mendez and Annabelle Lathroum each tested Jewell during the opening 18 minutes of the second half, but the Carroll goalkeeper kept the Linx within one goal.
The Fighting Owls eventually doubled their advantage in the 71st minute. Mendez set up Ami Walters, who found the net at 70:40 to make it 2-0.
"I took the ball from my right foot and I'm always going left," Walters said. "This time I shot is with my left foot and was able to tuck it into the corner. I had been in a rut lately, so I'm ecstatic to have been able to get my first collegiate goal in this game, let alone two."
Walters added her second goal of the afternoon from the penalty spot at 81:38, giving Harford a three-goal cushion.
Carroll generated a late push, with Camryn Gillis putting two shots on goal in the final eight minutes, but Harford goalkeeper Olivia Wollschlager stopped both attempts to preserve the shutout. Wollschlager finished with three saves in 90 minutes.
Walters led Harford with two goals on two shots on goal, while Mendez finished with three shots on goal and an assist. McLaughlin also recorded three shots on goal. Forest finished with four shots, including two on goal, and one goal.
With the victory, Harford improved to 4-1-1 overall and 3-0-1 in Region 20 play, while Carroll fell to 1-2-0 overall.
"We want to come away with wins in our region because it primes us for the postseason," said head coach Rebecca Volk. "We had the ball for much of this game and struggled [for a while] to convert. But that also means we are working hard and getting ourselves in the right position. So, I'm proud of them for creating chances."
Harford heads to Columbia, Md. tomorrow for a showdown with the Dragons of Howard Community College. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
