Coker Loses Heartbreaker in CVAC Championship

Belmont, NC- The seventh seeded Cobras lost in heartbreaking fashion Saturday, 2-1 to Belmont Abbey College in the CVAC women’s soccer championship game.  It took two overtime periods for the Crusaders to put away the tired Cobras, who were playing in their second consecutive overtime match in two days.  The loss ends Coker’s cinderella run through the tournament one victory shy of their championship first conference championship in 10 years.

The game was a defensive struggle, with neither team able to get many chances to score against the other’s defense. The first 81 minutes of the contest were played without a tally from either team. 

Belmont Abbey, the top seed in the tournament, finally drew first blood, as Stephanie Garcia gained possession of the ball on the left side of the net and crossed a pass to senior Tracy Enloe, who jumped just high enough to head the ball past Cobra keeper Jacque Stewart.

Just when it looked as though Coker’s cinderella run might be over, CVAC leading scorer Megan Shaver headed a free kick from freshmen Cara Durrance into the back of the net to tie the score 1-1 with only 1:57 remaining.   

The first overtime was played without a score, and it appeared the second overtime would as well. But off a free kick on the left side, Lindsay Megill of Belmont Abbey chipped the ball into the air, and Kristen Wight was able to get high enough to head the ball into the net for the title-winning goal.

Sophomore Jacque Stewart played well in goal for the Cobras, recording five saves in defeat.  Katherine Bogie was equally as impressive for Belmont Abbey in recording four

The Cobras end their season with an overall record of 9-10 while the Crusaders finish up 15-7.