EVANS, Ga. — Allen Community College’s women will have some work to do if they hope to cash in on their first-ever trip to the national soccer tournament.
The Red Devils saw their unbeaten season come to an end Friday with a 2-1 loss to Holmes (Miss.) Community College in the opening round of the NCAA-Division II National Tournament.
While they’re not out of contention for the medal round, the Red Devils now must defeat St. Louis Community College in their pool play match this morning at 10:30, then hope St. Louis can topple Holmes when those teams play Sunday afternoon.
The national semifinals are Tuesday, and the championship game is Wednesday.
All games are at the Blanchard Woods Park complex in Evans.
Holmes scored both of its goals within a span of 36 seconds midway through the first half.
Cariel Ellis scored off an assist from Mia Aviles in the 29th minute, followed by an unassisted goal from Laney Smith at 29:45.
The Red Devils did not go down without a fight against the nation’s second-ranked team.
Red Devil sophomore Dot Usher scored on a spectacular play late in the first half, when she kicked the ball into the air to herself outside the 18-yard box, then kicked again before the ball hit the ground, sending an arcing shot beyond the outstretched arms of the Holmes goalkeeper.
Despite being outshot 25-6 in the match, Allen stayed close, thanks to the steely play of goalkeeper Phoenix Michaelis.
Michaelis saved seven shots on goal.
Alas, Holmes goalkeeper Laydken Stockstill made a couple of key saves late in the match, the first on a shot by Allen’s Autumn Wyatt; the second on a header shot from ACC’s Yasmin Evans.
Allen tried six shot attempts in the match.
