DSC is ranked six in the nation. The Cougars are ranked tenth.
“The team came into the game ready to play at the highest level,” said Josh Tyler, SCC women's head soccer coach. “Darton State was a very good team, and we were up to the challenge.”
The Cougars came out fighting. SCC forward Raven Loughridge scored the first goal of the game with an assist from SCC forward Alyssa Coons a little over three minutes left in the first half.
After the half, DSC evened the score, 1-1, with 25 minutes left in the game. SCC countered with another goal by Loughridge, assisted by Coons, with seven minutes remaining.
With about three minutes remaining, DSC answered by scoring the final goal of the game.
SCC goalkeeper Katie Martin made 18 saves.
“This whole season the team has played with heart and for each other,” said Tyler. “They left everything on the field one final time. As a coach, that is what you ask for. Walk off that field with no regrets, and every player could say that. I was very proud to be on the sideline and even more proud to walk off the field with that group of women.”
The Cougars finished their regular season with a record of 12-4. They went on to win the XVI Regional Tournament and District D Tournament to qualify for NJCAA nationals. The team's final record is 15-5-1.
“Congratulations to this group of women and their coaches for being one of the top NJCAA women's soccer teams in the nation,” said Chris Breitmeyer, SCC vice president for academic and student affairs.
For more information about the SCC women's soccer team visit facebook.com/womenssoccerscc.
St. Charles Community College is a public, comprehensive two-year community college with associate degrees and certificate programs in the arts, business, sciences and career-technical fields. SCC provides workforce training and community-based personal and professional development as well as cultural, recreational and entertainment opportunities. For more information, visit www.stchas.edu.