The HCC women's soccer team ranked 7th in the NJCAA D-III continued their incredible streak, defeating conference rivals CSM 3-0. That win is the 9th straight for the Dragons and has them on top of the MD JUCO standings as the only undefeated team in conference play.

Going into this game, HCC knew what was on the line as the game matched the only two teams without a loss in the conference against each other. Right from the start, the Dragons midfield took control of the game as center midfielders Nikki Manning (Sykesville, MD, South Carroll HS), Becky Manelli (Woodstock, MD, Westminster HS), Sydney Rynn-Mason (Columbia, MD, Pallotti HS), and Brittany Nixon (Columbia, MD, Oakland Mills HS) moved the ball around with elegance and purpose. 

It took until the 37th minute for that control to pay off as an offensive throw in by Savanna Holt (West Friendship, MD, Glenelg HS) found Manelli in the box who hit a great left footed shot into the top of the net for her 4th goal of the season and Holt's 5th assist, good for 2nd in the conference.

The game appeared to be going to halftime with just the lone goal until Manelli hit a gorgeous through ball to the streaking Rebeka Coughlin (Sykesville, MD, Liberty HS) who hit an off-balance shot into the side netting with just 11 seconds left in the first half. This was Coughlin's 4th goal of the year and Manelli's 2nd assist as the Dragons went into halftime with all of the momentum. 

That momentum carried over to the early stages of the 2nd half as CSM, attempting to get out of their own half, had the ball stolen by Rynn-Mason who dribbled down the right side and put a great cross into the box where Elisa Mobley (Dayton, MD, Glenelg HS) was able to chip the ball over the CSM keeper for her 3rd goal of the season.

Once again, the Dragons defensive line of Lis Parks (Columbia, MD, St. Johns HS), Taylor Nowaskey (Clarksville, MD, River Hill HS), and Celeste Costabile (Ellicott City, MD, River Hill HS) were in shut-down mode as they allowed just 6 shots all game with 2 on goal. Those 2 shots on goal were saved comfortably by Darcey Bodziony (Columbia, MD, Atholton HS), who is 5th in the NJCAA with a .933 save %, tied for 3rd in the country with 2 goals allowed, and 4th in the NJCAA with a 0.30 goals-against average; all of which are top in the MD JUCO.  With a comfortable 3-0 lead, the Dragons put in back-up goalkeeper Marisa Grant (Ellicott City, MD, Howard HS) to close out the game in the 80th minute.

The Dragons will next take on Region XX opponent Westmoreland County Community College as part of a women/men's soccer double header on Saturday October 10th with the women's game scheduled to kick-off at 1:00 PM and the men at 3:00 PM. Those games will have a live radio broadcast courtesy of the Dragons Sports Radio crew and can be heard at http://www.howardcc.edu/discover/arts-culture/dragon-digital-radio/.