College of Charleston
UNC Wilmington
Seniors Fuel CofC W. Soccer?s Senior Day Win
10/26/2014 8:35:00 PM | Women's Soccer
MT. PLEASANT, S.C. – In a Hollywood-esque ending to their careers, College of Charleston women's soccer seniors Taylor Avery and Sarah Cardamone celebrated their Senior Day in style by propelling the Cougars to a 1-0 Colonial Athletic Association victory over UNC Wilmington at Patriots Point on Sunday afternoon.
Cardamone scored the game's lone goal and paced the Cougars with a team-high three shot attempts, and Avery made a career-high 10 saves to earn the shutout.
“It's a picture-perfect ending for Taylor and Sarah,” said head coach Christian Michner. “They've played their hearts out for four years and have done an unbelievable job on and off the field for us. For those two to have such amazing performances today… Cardamone with the game winner, and Avery playing what I believe is the best game of her career. She really made some unbelievable saves and kept us in it when we needed it.
“I couldn't be more proud of the team, all of the girls, and the way they competed for us today. It looks bright for us in the future.”
After an early UNCW offensive push earned the Seahawks four corner kicks in the first six minutes, the match funneled into the middle of the pitch where it became a battle for possession in the early going.
The Cougars seized the upper hand in the 14th minute with Cardamone and Hannah Huizenga executing a give-and-go maneuver leading to the game's lone goal.
Cardamone made a lacerating run towards the box and slipped a pass to Huizenga, and after the senior continued her run away from the ball, Huizenga slipped her a return pass and Cardamone scored across the goal mouth to the bottom-right corner.
“Hannah got herself into a good spot and I played off of her, and she sent me in behind the defense,” said Cardamone. “It's funny because that's the way we started the year, with the two of us connecting for the first goal of the season, so we're going out the way we came in. She's going to be a very good player going forward for CofC.”
The remaining first half's action retreated back to the center third of the field, with the teams slugging it out for possession before the Cougars took the 1-0 lead into the intermission after a statistically-even opening half.
Avery was not often tested in the first period, but she kept her back line organized and was effective when she needed to be.
In the second half, however, the Cougars existed under a seemingly constant state of pressure as the Seahawks endeavored to equalize the match.
Avery was unencumbered by UNCW's threat and made seven saves in the second half, several of which were acrobatic maneuvers on seemingly impossible-to-stop shots.
“I'm proud of my team and what we were able to accomplish today,” said Avery. “This is the first Senior Day which we've won since I've been here at The College, so it's exciting. It felt good to go out and end it on a high note. I made my career-high in saves and played the best game I feel I've ever played. I'm proud to be a Cougar.”
The Cougars finish the campaign with a 7-11-1 overall record and 2-6-2 mark in the CAA.
“It was an emotional day,” said Cardamone. “It's sad to move on, but it was an awesome way to end it for Taylor and me. It couldn't have ended any better. I'm really proud of Taylor and the rest of my teammates for getting a win today.”
