LADY HAWKS GIVE VALIANT EFFORT BEFORE FALLING TO ANNE ARUNDEL

September 30, 2003 - The CSM women's soccer team played perennial power Anne Arundel and gave them all they could handle before falling 3-0 on a cool, crisp autumn afternoon. 

    The Pioneers had the edge in field position the first half, but excellent play by Hawk goalie Kelly Hickman kept Anne Arundel at bay.  Hickman made six saves, including one point blank shot that she fended off.

    "I was trying to stay on my feet, watch their positioning, and anticipate where the ball would go" said Hickman describing her play.

    Anne Arundel (8-1, 2-0) finally broke through in the final minute, when Laura Meheever arched in a shot from 30 yards on a free kick, just over Hickman's outstretched arms. 

    CSM (2-3, 1-2) had a couple scoring chances as well.  The Hawks best chance came early in the half when Heather Reed hit a beautiful corner kick to the middle of the field, but Melanie Tyner's header went just wide.

    Anne Arundel took a 2-0 lead at the 42:00 mark of the second half.  Kristen Jenkins broke in and shot point blank on goal, but Kelly Hickman was there to knock the shot away.  Hickman wasn't able to corral the rebound however, and Jenkins found net with the rebound.

    The Pioneers dominated field position for much of the second half, but time and time again Hickman and the Hawk defense had the answer. 

    Anne Arundel's final goal came with 21:00 minutes left for the final 3-0 score.  With Hickman charging the ball, the ball hit a Hawk defender and came to Kristen Jenkins, who scored her second goal into the open net.

    The Hawks had some scoring chances of their own in the second half.  Tabitha Jett broke in on the left side and shot a rocket on goal, but the Pioneer keeper was able to make the save.  Shauna Briscoe's shot off an indirect kick was inches over the top of the goal.

    CSM dominated the play the last twelve minutes of the game, but was unable to find net.

    Head Coach Jerry Bennett was proud of his team's effort:

    "This is the team we thought we had at the beginning of the year.  They never quit, we weren't tired at the end, and we gave Anne Arundel a scare.  It was our best game of the year after two heartbreaking losses."

    The Lady Hawks will kick off Harvest Homecoming on Saturday when they host Frederick at noon.