Chair Gripping Finish For Women's Soccer At Nationals

Gastonia, NC - It came down to penalty kicks in the NJCAA DIII women's soccer championship consolation game for the #6 seeded Brookdale and the #7 seeded Community College of Rhode Island Knights.

Two of the three goals were scored in the first half of play. Freshman midfielder Hailey Funkhouser got the Blues on the board first with her goal and the assist from sophomore forward, Rori McDonough. The second goal came off the foot of sophomore midfielder, Grace Broderick, with the help of freshman defender Allison Dillon, and it was Dillon again with her assist of the third goal in the second half scored by freshman midfielder, Catherine Delia. 

The final horn blew with 3-3 on the scoreboard which meant the Jersey Blues had to get real comfortable, real fast, with a penalty kick shootout; something they didn't have to do all season. The Blues showed grit and poise, as four players, Rori McDonough, Hailey Funkhouser, freshman defender Jordyn Gavini, and freshman midfielder Marissa Fiordaliso blasted four consecutive penalty kicks past the Knights goalie in a 4-1 shootout for the win. Additionally, freshman goalie, Marissa Pane, snatched five saves for Brookdale. 

Brookdale finished their season 8-4-2 overall, and 6-0-1 in the conference.

CONGRATULATIONS FOR A GREAT SEASON!

Photos above courtesy of Orlando Corry