Columbia, MD - The Lynx opened their third season on Tuesday, August 25, with an impressive 3-1 road victory over Howard Community College. With all but one player graduating from last year's playoff squad, the predominantly new roster needed some time to settle in before finding its rhythm.
Once they did, the Lynx controlled the match from start to finish. Carroll outshot Howard 27-6 and held a commanding 22-5 advantage in shots on goal. The Lynx continually tested Howard goalkeeper Sophia Newman, who turned in an outstanding collegiate debut with 18 saves to keep the Dragons within striking distance. On the other end of the field, sophomore goalkeeper
Emma Jewell recorded three saves while the Lynx defense limited Howard's opportunities throughout the contest.
The match featured a physical edge, with the teams combining for 19 fouls.
Ava Wasowicz helped spark the Lynx attack in the 28th minute, delivering a clever assist to
Jen Vasquez for the season's first goal. Just before halftime,
Hannah Peterson intercepted a Howard pass and quickly found Vasquez, who buried her second goal of the match to give Carroll a 2-0 advantage heading into the break.
Howard cut the deficit in half early in the second half when Ashly Dominguez capitalized on a Lynx miscue. Rather than allowing momentum to shift, Carroll responded by maintaining pressure and continuing to create scoring opportunities. Their persistence paid off when freshman
Emerson Stoltzfus converted a corner kick opportunity for what proved to be the final goal of the afternoon. With the two-goal cushion restored, the Lynx controlled possession and managed the final stages of the match to secure a convincing season-opening victory.
The Lynx were scheduled to face CCBC Essex on August 27, but severe weather forced the match to be rescheduled for October 12 at Carroll. Carroll will return to action on September 1 when the Lynx travel to Prince George's Community College.
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