Melbourne, FL - Cape Fear women's soccer played valiantly in the 2016 NJCAA National Tournament, but would be unable to come away with a win in pool play, losing to #2 seeded Butler Community College 3-0, and then to #7 seed Monroe Community College 6-2 a day later.

The Sea Devils made their first appearance ever in the national tournament, and entered as the #11 seed. Butler, ranking as the #2 seed in the tournament, was also ranked #1 in the NSCAA National Poll, and #2 in the NJCAA National poll, making them one of the strongest sides in the country.

Butler would strike early in the game, going up 1-0 in the 5th minute. The Grizzlies' Colleen Howland would head a ball over Sea Devils goalkeeper Elizabeth Ethridge as she charged towards her.

Despite an early deficit, the Sea Devils were not deterred, and would almost level the score in the 10th minute. Unfortunately, they would be unable to convert, and would remain down a goal.

That said, Cape Fear would dig-in defensively, dropping the majority of the team into their own half in an attempt to absorb Butler's pressure and then exploit it on the counter. They would successfully defend Butler for most of the game, but would be unable to create an equalizer for themselves. Then, in the 74th minute, Butler's Taylor Spencer would give her team a 2-0 lead.

The goal would come off a counter, and would end with Spencer striking a ball in the corner of the net for 20 yards out. Sea Devils Head Coach Ryan Deppa called the goal, "first class."

Butler's third goal would come seven minutes later in the 81st minute, scored by Lauren Allan.

Cape Fear had eight shots in the game, but none on goal. Sophomores Jenna Pecorini and Alyssa Coustenis lead with two shots a piece. Additionally, Ethridge would make 12 saves in the game.

While losing 3-0, the score didn't necessarily reflect the way Cape Fear played. Despite how strong an opponent Butler was, the Sea Devils remained in the game through disciplined play.

As Coach Deppa commented afterwards: "Our girls stuck to the game plan, and by doing this [it] helped keep us in the game based on the score line for about 72 minutes. We felt if we could keep it close and be patient that we would have a chance at the end of the game. Butler is a high quality program, and they play extremely well."

Assistant coach Chris Murray echoed Deppa: "I was pleased with our effort verses one of the top teams in the country. We knew that if we were able to stay disciplined in our system, that it would take something very special to beat us, and that's exactly what Butler was able to produce. Their first two goals were a different level and that's what makes a good team a great team."

Against Monroe, Cape Fear found themselves down early again due to an own goal in the 14th minute. The goal would open things up for Monroe, as they would make it 2-0 three minutes later off a free kick from Tenysha Taylor. Taylor would score two goals from free kicks during the game.

The Sea Devils would go down 4-0 before getting a goal back. Freshman Janessa Annis would score Cape Fear's first goal of the NJCAA tournament off a corner kick in the 59th minute. Her kick would curl past both her teammates and defenders, and find the back of the net.

"I was proud of our team for digging deep after halftime to go out and put in the best effort we could to close out the game," said Coach Deppa. "Monroe CC is a traditional national power, and we can learn a great deal from them for the future of our program at Cape Fear."

After conceding another goal to Monroe in the 72nd minute, Annis would score her team's second ten minutes later in the 82nd. Monroe would get their final goal just before the end in the 88th.

The Sea Devils would have 12 shots on the goal for the game. Ethridge would make three saves, while goalkeeper Kenedy Green would make six after being subbed on in the 17th minute.

Despite the scoreline, Coach Deppa remained positive. "I was pleased with moments in the game that we showed what Cape Fear soccer is about. We started strong but lost our fight about midway through the first half. Monroe CC is well coached and they were able to create some great opportunities."

Deppa felt it was going to be tough to get a result playing just a day after the Butler game. "I knew we were up against it, being 24 hours prior we played Butler, and Monroe was able to punish us in those moments where our fatigue was showing and we took plays off."

Coach Murray also felt fatigue was a factor. "It's always tough to play two games on back to back days, especially when you are playing two of the top teams in the country. Again, we knew that it would take a complete team effort to get the result that we needed. Unfortunately, the energy that was left wasn't enough for us to break down Monroe's defense."

Cape Fear's overall record ends at 17-3-0. They achieved two milestones for the program; first by winning the District L Championship, then by appearing in the national tournament for the first time. For the season, they averaged 3.85 goals per game, 23.1 shots per game, and allowed an average of just one goal a game. They went undefeated at home, and finished 11-1 in conference play.

As Coach Deppa summed it up, it was a historic season. "We had a tremendous journey this season. It was remarkable. These kids created history and put in the effort to push our program to another level."

Deppa believes the support from parents and the school, along with the experience of this season, will help lay the foundation for the program, and ultimately raise it to new levels. "We had tremendous support from the parents, the athletic department, the local media outlets, and CFCC, and this all combined for putting us on the path towards achieving our greatness and helping us become more relevant on the regional and national level."

"It is always emotional for all those invested when the final whistle blows and you get hit in the face knowing the season is over. Even in the loss on Tuesday, I knew walking off the field that these kids took us all on one heck of a ride in 2016, and left it all on the field. The ownership they took in this process is a giant reason why the future of our program at Cape Fear is shining so bright."

Courtesy of Nick Denning