In dire need of a victory to end a four-game losing streak, the Archers found themselves locked in a scoreless battle with MCC-Maple Woods for almost the entirety of regulation. Almost.
In the game’s 89th minute, sophomore forward Emily Fox punched home the only goal the Archers would need. The victory improved the Archers to 3-4 overall, surpassing their win total from all of last season.
“It was very important,” head coach Erin Hesselbach said. “We needed something to bring us some confidence, something to feel good about and keep moving forward. When you go back to practice and get to work on some things while knowing the last game was another loss, it starts to weigh on you. This allows you to feel good about a win and now we can work on the things we need to fine-tune.”
Hesselbach and the Archers deployed a defensive-minded approach throughout Thursday’s game, a tact used to counter a string of allowing 22 goals in a four-game span. Maple Woods had one sequence with multiple shots on goal end with a shot off the left goal post, a bit of good fortune that STLCC was in need of. Sophomore goaltender Amanda Hughes registered her third shutout of the season.
“Good teams, if they keep working hard, good fortune can come your way,” Hesselbach said. “That was a good-luck play there and we owe the post a favor.”
The Archers will have a week off before they will look to build on Saturday’s win. Up next is Lincoln College at home on September 17 at the STLCC-Meramec campus.