Wilmington, NC - Cape Fear women's soccer continued its undefeated start to the season, defeating Patrick Henry Community College 7-1. Freshman forward Carly Higgins continued her hot start to the season, scoring four goals.
Higgins opened things up in the 7th minute. She was assisted by sophomore Janessa Annis, who dribbled down the center of the field, and found Higgins off to the left. Higgins dribbled into the box and slid the ball across the goal and into the net.
Annis got on the scoresheet in the 19th minute off a corner kick, giving the Sea Devils a 2-0 lead. She was assisted by Nina Perry who played the cross in from the corner.
Sophomore Alaina Capps made it 3-0 in the 31st minute after a shot from Perry was saved, but deflected in front of Capps, who then shot it straight into the net.
The Sea Devils remained aggressive the rest of the half. It paid off in the 43rd minute, as Higgins put away her second of the game off a well played through ball from sophomore Sierra Raynor.
The Patriots nearly answered a minute later after an attempt for the ball from goalkeeper C.J. Garvey left the net open, but the shot went wide.
Cape Fear entered halftime up 4-0.
Higgins created a scoring chance at the start of the second half, crossing a ball that fell to Perry just outside the box. Perry was open in front of goal, but her shot went wide. A few minutes later, Annis put a shot on target from about 20 yards out, but it went straight to the goalkeeper.
Higgins earned her second hat trick of the season in 56th minute after Annis played a beautiful cross from the right. The goalkeeper deflected the cross but couldn't clear it, and it fell to Higgins who headed it into the net to make it 5-0.
The team's final two goals came 30 seconds apart in the 64th minute. The first came off an assist from Higgins, who crossed the ball directly to Capps, who chested it down to her feet and hit it off the top crossbar and across the line. Then, Higgins scored her fourth and final goal by sprinting open on the left side, and curling it into the right side of the goal.
With four more goals today, Higgins increased her tally to 13 on the season. The effort comes after she was named NJCAA Player of the Week.
The Patriots managed to grab a goal late. After a free kick was taken short, the Patriots played a long ball to forward Kelsey Cruise, who flicked it high and past goalkeeper Kenedy Green.
"The team worked hard for each other," said head coach Ryan Deppa. "[It's] nice to see the kids have some fire to get after the game tonight."
Cape Fear dominated the match as they have all season. They outshot the Patriots 34-4, and had more shots on target as well, 13-2.
The win improves Cape Fear to 5-0 on the season and 2-0 on the season. They will have a week off before their next game, which is at home against Louisburg College at 1:30 p.m.
Courtesy of Nick Denning
