Wilmington, NC - After going down 1-0 in the first half, the Cape Fear women's soccer team scored four to defeat Spartanburg Methodist 4-1, and clinch the Region 10 regular season conference title.
After a slow start, Cape Fear got their first chance to score in the 4th minute. Following a turnover, Alaina Capps had a shot on goal, but she would put it right at the goalkeeper. Spartanburg nearly scored in the 12th minute, but the Sea Devils did just enough to force their opponents shot wide.
The early portion of the first half was very back and forth, with both teams maintaining possession for decent lengths of time.
Cape Fear looked best when attacking on the wings. Sophomore Alyssa Coustenis was able to beat her defender more than once to get into Spartanburg's final third.
Goalkeeper Ali Ethridge made a great save in 23nd minute to keep the game scoreless. The Pioneers' Brittany Heri was found open on goal thanks to a through ball, but Ethridge positioned herself well and blocked the shot. Ethridge would make another great save in the 38th minute, diving to her left to stop a shot coming from straight on. Without Ethridge, Cape Fear would have found themselves down by at least two goals in the first half.
While both teams found opportunities to score, Spartanburg created the better scoring chances, with Heri's attempt being the closet yet. By the midway point of the first half, Spartanburg looked the stronger side. While the Sea Devils began to control possession again, they would be unable to capitalize.
Spartanburg would finally break the score open in the 41st minute. The Pioneers' Daisey Wingard would send a shot high and over Ethridge to put her team up 1-0. The half would end with the Sea Devils trailing by one goal.
Momentum would eventually shift in Cape Fear's favor in the second half. At first, Spartanburg did a good job defending, making it difficult for Cape Fear to create meaningful attempts on goal. However, the Sea Devils continued applying pressure, and would eventually break through in the 59th minute, when Alaina Capps would tie the game off an assist from Emily Valenti. The goal was Alaina's 6th of the season.
"Getting to halftime itself was the biggest turning point for us," said assistant coach Chris Murray. "Being down 1-0 we knew we had to get the game back, and the players knew that as well, and they took it upon themselves, to come with the desire and passion needed to get the result."
Immediately following the goal, Spartanburg's Cyarah Dow-Wilson was issued a red card, reducing Spartanburg to 10 players. That moment would change the course of the game, as the Sea Devils would take advantage of having an extra player.
They would take the lead in the 66th minute, as Jenna Pecorini would score her 6th goal of the season to put Cape Fear up 2-1. Her goal was assisted by Coustenis.
Coustenis would then score her 13th goal of the season in the 74th minute, off an assist from Raime Cooper. The goal gave Cape Fear a two goal lead, effectively putting Spartanburg out of the game.
To cap off a strong second half, Anna Massengill scored her 3rd goal of the season in the 81st minute to give the Sea Devils their 4th and final goal of the game. Coustenis provided the assist for her 2nd of the game.
The win earned Cape Fear their second straight regular season conference title.
"It hasn't really sunk in yet," said head coach Ryan Deppa. "It's just one step on a journey this year. We're excited to win our second in a row."
The Sea Devils improved to 13-1 overall, and 10-1 in conference with the win.
Their final home game of the season is Saturday, October 22nd, where they will take on USC Lancaster at 6:00 p.m.
Courtesy of Nick Denning
