Wilmington, NC - The CFCC women's soccer team got off to a strong start to the season, with a 4-0 victory over Frederick Community College.  Head coach Ryan Deppa was pleased with the overall performance, "Overall, it was a great first game.  To play in the heat like this, the kids grinded for 90 minutes, and that's a plus for us. To be able to come out and put the heat aside, I was very pleased with our effort for our first game."

The Sea Devils got off to a great start in the 6th minute, as freshman Janessa Annis scored from directly in front of goal following a deflection off a corner.  It was Annis' first career goal for CFCC. Coach Deppa was pleased with her effort. "Her work rate was great. Her skill is one thing, but how hard she works is awesome."

Annis was happy and relieved to get her first goals of the season. "I'm glad I got it over with. It was riveting after it happened."

The Sea Devils would get two more opportunities to score shortly after. In the 14th minute, sophomore Gabby Serpa would have a clear shot on goal stopped by the goalkeeper. Then, two minutes later, Pecorini would be set up by Ashley Carter on a great through ball, but would have her shot pushed wide.

The pace was slow for much of the half from that point, with the Sea Devils controlling much of possession, preventing Frederick from having any real opportunities at goal.

Frederick would get a decent chance in the 19th minute, but the shot on goal would go right to goalkeeper Kenedy Green, who saved it easily.

Cape Fear would take control late in the half, starting in the 37th minute. Annis would get her second goal of the game off a short corner, curling her shot into the bottom left side of the goal.

Two minutes later, sophomore Allyson McLamb would make it 3-0 for the Sea Devils, as her shot would deflect off the post and into the goal. The Sea Devils would take this lead into halftime.

Cape Fear would get a great opportunity at the start of the second half, creating a couple of solid chances at goal. However, for a good portion of the half from that point, neither team would get any clear chances to score. The game was played at a much slower tempo in the second half, which benefited the Sea Devils holding a commanding lead.

The Sea Devils would add a fourth goal off a corner kick in the 75th minute, as Emily Valenti headed in her first goal of the season off an assist from Carter. Valenti found herself unmarked, and cleanly headed in the goal. 

The game ended 4-0, giving Cape Fear their first victory of the season. Annis highlighted the team's communication as a key factor in the win. "I think we did really good. We had a lot of good communication."

Moving forward, Coach Deppa will look to see how his team handles playing their second game in 24 hours. "It's all about playing another game in the heat in less than 24 hours. I'd like to see them hydrate a lot between now and then, and come in with a good attitude and know that tomorrow we'll have our hands full with Howard."

The Sea Devils will play Howard Community College at 1 pm on Sunday, at Cape Fear Academy.

Courtesy of Nick Denning