MT. PLEASANT, S.C. – Two goals from McCallie Jones were enough to lift the College of Charleston women’s soccer team to a 2-1 victory over Old Dominion in the final game of the College of Charleston Cup at Patriots Point on Sunday afternoon.

CofC (4-3-0) claimed the result despite being taken slightly out of rhythm and a 9-8 shot advantage favoring ODU (2-4-1).

“The message in the locker room was to come out ready to play and come out on fire early,” said head coach Christian Michner. “ Especially on Sundays, the team that comes out with more intensity will have their foot on the gas right away and will take control of the game. We did that today and scored a great goal in the first minute and a half of the game.

“It’s super important for teams that are battling to win their conference to be able to grind out victories. Our goal today was to win a game. 2-0 would have been better but we gave up the penalty kick there at the end. I’m proud of the team for grinding out a win. I always say that good teams find a way to win and today a good team found a way to win, albeit not by playing in our typical rhythm but we found a way to get it done and I’m proud of them for that.”

Jones (Charlotte, N.C.) netted both goals on the day with Hope Atkinson (Rumson, N.J.), Hannah Gmerek (Piedmont, S.C.) and Sarah Cardamone (Downingtown, Pa.) all picking up assists.

Just one minute and seven seconds in, Jones scored on the first shot of the game when Atkinson played a ball through the air to the top of the box and Jones one-touch volleyed it into the upper-right corner of the net.

Jones struck again in the 77th minute when Cardamone played a corner kick nicely into the box where Gmerek headed it towards goal and Jones deflected it past the keeper.

The insurance goal would prove necessary as ODU was awarded a penalty kick after a CofC handball in the box in the 88th minute. Lisa Bernardini capitalized on the opportunity to cut the score to 2-1 but the Cougars’ defense held in the final minutes to preserve the win.

Gmerek along with Katie Kerr (Cincinnati, Ohio) and Sarah Schaidle (Simpsonville, S.C.) represented CofC on the all-tournament team.

The Cougars take to the road to face No. 10 Duke on Thursday, Sept. 15 at 7 p.m. before returning home to open the Southern Conference slate against Appalachian State on Friday, Sept. 23.

“Duke will be a tremendous chance for our team to step out against one of the top teams in the country,” said Michner. “They’re playing better than any team in the country at this point and have really taken some opponents apart this year so we’ll have our work cut out for us. We’re really looking forward to the opportunity to go to Duke and lace up our boots just like they do and have a go and see what happens.

All-Tournament Team

Kristina Utley (Cincinnati)
Jazmine Rhodes (Cincinnati)
Emily Hebbeler (Cincinnati)
Mackenzie Grause (Cincinnati)
Katie Kerr (College of Charleston)
Hannah Gmerek (College of Charleston)
Sarah Schaidle (College of Charleston)
Tori Diersen (Old Dominion)
Victoria Johnson (Old Dominion)
Christina Stern (Coastal Carolina)
Cisca Okoko (Coastal Carolina)

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