ARNOLD, MD – The Anne Arundel Community College women's soccer team battled with 4th ranked Union County in the Riverhawks' home opener Thursday evening. The Owls' Victoria Fernandez scored in the 102nd minute to give the visiting team a 2-1 win in double overtime.
Union County (1-0) came out strong in the first half, testing Riverhawks' starting keeper Jess Garner with what seemed like rapid-fire attempts, but the freshman stood her ground until the 18th minute when Lindsay Wielgus found a loose ball in a scramble out front to give the Owls the lead.
AACC (0-2) trailed 1-0 at halftime before Alyssa Begunich lofted in her first career goal from the outer right, tucking it behind Owls' keeper Destine Alarcon in the 47th minute.
Skylar Trivane moved from defense to keeper for the Riverhawks at halftime, again stopping an early and often attack from the Owls.
The Riverhawks back line was virtually impenetrable during the overtime periods, holding the Owls without a shot in the first overtime, and scrambling a set piece attempt in the 92nd minute. Overall, AACC forced 11 offside violations in the game and saw Alessandra Gargano record a key defensive save late in the second half.
Fernandez snuck through the line to get a diagonal ball from Cyanna Gonzalez in the 102nd minute, going one-on-one with Trivane before potting the game-winner.
Trivane and Garner each finished the game with six saves and a goal allowed. Alarcon recorded four saves in the win.
Overall, the Owls held a 21-7 advantage in shots, and a 5-2 lead in corner kicks. The game was intense yet clean, as the teams combined for just eight fouls.
The Riverhawks are off until Friday, September 6th when they host CCBC Essex in a 7 pm game.