MIAMI SHORES, Fla. (November 10, 2013) -
Sunday's SSC Tournament Championship between the top two seeds,
No. 1 Barry (12-4-2) and No. 2 Rollins (15-3-0), did not
disappoint. The game featured two ties and two lead changes with
the Tars eventually coming out on the winning end, defeating the
Buccaneers, 3-2, in double overtime.
The win snaps Rollins' two game losing streak in SSC Tournament
Final appearances and earns the Tars an automatic bid into the NCAA
Tournament. The Tournament title is the second in program history,
their first coming back in 2009.
Battling each other all year long for the team lead in goals, Brenna
McKee and Paxton
Sickler both tallied scores in the victory, McKee scoring
twice. It was the third time this season the All-SSC second teamer
has scored two goals in a game.
In goal, Mary
Spring made five saves in over 102 minutes to earn the win.
Rollins outshot Barry 27-10 in the game, including 4-1 in the
overtime periods. The Tars also took five corners compared to four
by the Bucs.
"We played well throughout, especially in the second half and
into the overtime periods," said head coach Alicia
Schuck.
"Brenna, Paxton, Emma
Jones, Taylor and Maddie were very good today but everyone
played well, it was a great team win. Brenna earned the much
deserved Tournament Most Outstanding Player award and Paxton's goal
was so special. Was such a hard fought game and we have to give
credit to Barry, as they played such a great all-around game as
well. Feels great to get the automatic bid in the NCAA's, these
girls really worked hard to get where we are right now. We are
excited to carry this momentum moving forward."
Rollins owned much of the possession in the first half but found
themselves behind when Sara Karna cleaned up a rebound after Spring
saved an initial shot from Lauren Manna in the 23rd
minute.
The Tars would go into the half down 1-0.
McKee then shifted momentum quickly after the break, dribbling
into the right side of the box before cutting back to her left and
sending a shot past SSC Defensive Player of the Year Becca Rogers
in goal to tie at 1-1 with 38 minutes left.
Just about five minutes later, McKee added her second off an
assist from Mora
Johnson to give the Tars the lead at 2-1.
The Bucs would then tie it again when Tamara Vukovich converted
a free kick after a Rollins foul outside the top right corner of
the box with 17 minutes left in regulation.
Opportunities were had by both teams over the final 17 minutes
of play, including a Sickler shot off the crossbar, but Spring and
the Rollins backline of Megan
Block, Taylor
Thigpen, Azure
Dorsey and Maddie
Ginder held, forcing overtime.
After a scoreless first overtime period, Sickler uncorked a shot
in the 102nd minute from well outside the left corner
of the box and past Rogers to end the game. Rogers finished with 14
saves in the loss.
Emma
Bloom, Dorsey, Johnson, Sickler and McKee were named to the
All-Tournament team with McKee taking home Most Outstanding Player
honors.
Rollins will now wait for the Division II Women's Soccer
Selection Show on Monday, November 11. The show, which will air on
NCAA.com at 7:30 p.m. ET, will reveal the teams moving on to the
national championships. Links to the live stream will be available
on RollinsSports.com
