Women’s Soccer 2019 Season Review

The College of Southern Maryland women's soccer season ended on October 29 when they lost 10-0 to the CCBC Essex Knights in the semifinals of the NJCAA Region XX Division I Tournament.

CSM finished with a 5-8 overall record, going 3-5 in Maryland JUCO games and 4-6 in Region XX games.

The Hawks had a rough start to the 2019 campaign, losing their first four games by six or more goals.

However, things quickly turned around when CSM went on a three-game winning streak, scoring at least six goals each game.

The Hawks went 1-3 the rest of the regular season, though, and were shutout in each of those losses.

"This season came with its challenges," CSM head coach Nina Duron said. "This team welcomed and faced all of those challenges head on, no matter how hard the climb."

CSM's largest margin of victory in 2019 came in that one victory during their 1-3 stretch, on October 8 when they crushed the CCBC Catonsville Cardinals 11-1. Seven different Hawks scored in that game, with sophomore Karleigh Cohen netting four goals herself.

"I feel that there is always something to learn from every season, from a team perspective, and also individually," Duron said. "We can look at the wins and losses, but what I am most proud of was that the team stood behind one another, like a family, no matter the outcome. Even after some grueling defeats, these girls were able to rise above."

Cohen again led the team in goals for the season. She finished with nine this year, an improvement from her six tallies in 2018. She was also first in points with 21.

Freshman Jennifer Nanosi led CSM in assists with five. She was second in goals and points with six and 17, respectively.

Sophomore Maurizia Gianan and freshman Ana Benitez both accumulated 10 points with their four goals and two assists each.

Sophomore goalkeeper Camille Cooley made 125 saves, third-most among Maryland JUCO players.

CSM advanced to the Region XX Division I Tournament semifinals after beating the Hagerstown Community College Hawks 1-0 in the quarterfinals on October 26.

"From a coach's perspective, I would say we had a successful season," Duron said. "We improved in many ways from the year before, in the game and in training. Our sophomores have helped shape a new culture for our freshman to carry on next year as the leaders of this team, and I am very excited for what is to come."