ARNOLD, Md. — The College of Southern Maryland women’s soccer team scored twice in the second half, including a late own goal by the opposition, to secure a 3-2 victory over No. 18 Anne Arundel Community College in a Maryland JUCO Conference matchup on September 2, 2025, at Siegert Field. Amber Jones netted two goals for the Hawks, who improved to 3-0 overall and 2-0 in conference play, while the Riverhawks fell to 1-3 overall and 1-1 in the conference.
Anne Arundel struck first in the fourth minute when Emma Miga scored an unassisted goal, giving the home team a 1-0 lead. Southern Maryland responded in the 39th minute as Jones converted a pass from Kiera Salazar to tie the game at 1-1 heading into halftime. The Riverhawks regained the advantage early in the second half, with Alaina Minefski scoring off an assist from Holly Wall in the 46th minute to make it 2-1. Jones equalized again for the Hawks in the 53rd minute, this time assisted by Sara Allwine, knotting the score at 2-2. The decisive moment came in the 85th minute when an own goal by Anne Arundel handed Southern Maryland the win. A yellow card was issued to Riverhawks defender Megan Strevig in the 88th minute.
Southern Maryland outshot Anne Arundel 12-15 overall but held a 10-10 edge in shots on goal. Hawks goalkeeper Kylie Smith earned the win, making eight saves while allowing two goals in 90 minutes. Riverhawks goalkeeper Ryleigh Smoot took the loss, recording seven saves against three goals conceded. Corner kicks favored Anne Arundel 5-2, and the Riverhawks committed six fouls compared to Southern Maryland’s five. The match lasted one hour and 47 minutes, with 75 in attendance. Officials included referee Williams Paul, assistant referee Alexander Tyshkevych and assistant referee Richard Winston.
Jones, a sophomore forward, led the Hawks’ attack with three shots, all on goal, and her two scores marked her continued strong start to the season. In prior games, she contributed one goal in a 15-0 rout of Howard Community College on August 26 and another in a 7-2 win over Mercer County Community College on August 28. Allwine added four shots, three on target, and one assist, while Salazar provided one assist on one shot. For Anne Arundel, Miga paced the offense with five shots, two on goal, and one score. Mackenzie Baldwin had four shots, three on target, and Holly Wall contributed two shots, two on target, with one assist.
This contest served as a rematch of the 2024 NJCAA Region 20 Championship, where Anne Arundel edged Southern Maryland 3-2 on November 2, 2024, at the same venue. The all-time series between the programs since 2012 stands tied at 6-6-2. Entering the game, Southern Maryland carried momentum from its dominant early-season performances, including a program-record 15 goals against Howard, where four players each recorded at least one goal and one assist. Against Mercer, the Hawks erupted for six second-half goals after a 1-2 halftime deficit, with Allwine scoring twice.
Anne Arundel, ranked No. 13 in some preseason polls but listed as No. 18 for this matchup, began its season with losses at the JUCO Kickoff Classic before an 8-3 victory over Carroll Community College on August 26, where Miga scored three times. The Riverhawks’ roster includes players like Miga, a forward with prior multi-goal games, and midfielder Maddie Raynes, who contributed in the Carroll win.
Last season, Southern Maryland reached the Region 20 final, and returners like Jones, who tallied nine goals in 2024, bolster the squad. Other key contributors include defender Nora Barlow and defender Taylor Hopkins, both sophomores adding experience to the lineup.
The win positions Southern Maryland atop the early conference standings, with upcoming road games against Carroll on September 4 and Frederick on September 9. Anne Arundel next hosts Montgomery College on September 9. Both teams compete in NJCAA Division II, Region 20, where conference results determine postseason seeding. Southern Maryland’s strong defensive play, evidenced by Smith’s eight saves, complements its high-scoring offense, which has produced 25 goals in three games.
In broader context, junior college soccer in Maryland emphasizes development for student-athletes, many of whom transfer to four-year institutions. Southern Maryland’s program, part of the Maryland Junior College Athletic Conference, has produced all-region honorees in recent years. The Hawks’ undefeated start builds on a 2024 campaign that included a championship appearance, signaling potential for another deep run.
