The LaGrange College women's soccer team finished sixth in the 2021 USA South West Division standings, two spots ahead of where the Panthers were projected to place in the Coaches Preseason poll.
The Panthers (3-5, 3-5 USA South) went 3-2 in home games, defeating Berea, 3-1, on Feb. 13, Agnes Scott, 4-0, on March 16 and Wesleyan, 5-0, on April 5. Junior captain Riley Hammett represented the program on the conference's All-Sportsmanship team.
|
Junior captain Madison Demkowski ended the season with team-highs of five goals and 10 points. Senior Taylor Hamm and junior captain Sydney Dailey finished with two goals and two assists apiece.
Freshman Nikki Longmoore (2 goals), freshman Anna Brown (1 goal, 1 assist) and sophomore Jordan Alexis (1 assist) contributed to the team's success. Freshman goalkeeper Leila Moss led LC in wins (2), goals-against average (1.70), save percentage (.763) and individual shutouts (1). She finished in a tie for first with sophomore goalkeeper Maurie White in saves (29).
Additionally, freshmen Lauren Williamson and Leia Avery had tremendous rookie seasons. Williamson was a force in the midfield, organizing the Panthers' attack and outworking opponents. Avery got better every day and used her field vision and all-around game to make an immediate impact.
"Coming in as a freshman on a team during a pandemic was a tough situation," said Avery. "As the season went on and we continued to play and practice, it got easier and better. It was a tough season for coaches and players, but I had a good start to my college career."
You can relive the Panthers' three wins below.
LAGRANGE 3, BEREA 1:
Dailey, a one-time USA South Player and Rookie of the Week honoree, opened the scoring in the third minute with a penalty-kick goal. Hamm posted her first collegiate game-winner in the fifth minute, as her corner kick ricocheted off a Berea defender into the back of the net.
After the Mountaineers cut the deficit to 2-1, Brown floated her first college goal over the goalkeeper's head off an outstanding through ball by Dailey. White earned the win, turning away nine shots.
LAGRANGE 4, AGNES SCOTT 0:
Demkowski recorded her first collegiate hat trick, while Hamm tallied one goal and one assist. Demkowski scored the game-winner in the 19th minute, picking the top-left corner from 25 yards out. The Villa Rica, Georgia, native sent the Panthers into halftime with a two-goal cushion, as her shot went off the bottom of the cross bar and crossed the goal line with 7:21 remaining.
During the second half, Hamm scored off a failed clear by the Scotties in the 47th minute, and then Demkowski ended the scoring from far out on the left side during the 61st minute. Moss earned her first collegiate win and shutout during the victory.
LAGRANGE 5, WESLEYAN 0:
Demkowski and Longmoore each finished with a pair of goals, as the Panthers put a stamp on the 2021 season. Demkowski tallied the game-winner, scoring directly off a corner kick by Hamm in the fifth minute. Dailey buried a penalty kick into the bottom left corner with 2:38 on the clock in the first half.
Demkowski pushed the lead to 3-0 in the 58th minute. With 10:51 remaining, Longmoore netted her first college goal off a through ball on the right side by Brown. Less than five minutes later, Longmoore scored of a corner kick by Alexis.
Moss earned her second win and combined with White for the shutout.
Assistant Sports Information Director Trevor Wenners can be reached at twenners@lagrange.edu.
-
For continuing coverage of Panther athletics, stay up to date with our website and follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
