Monroe College rallies back, advances to national semifinals
There’s just something about falling behind that seems to bring out the best in the Monroe College women’s soccer team.
For the second straight game, the defending national champions fell behind 1-0 before turning up the heat and finding the back of the net.
Luana Grabias scored a hat trick in the final 30 minutes, and the Mustangs defeated Laramie County Community College 3-2 in the final game of Pool A play Wednesday at the NJCAA Division I Women’s Soccer National Championship Tournament.
The win puts Monroe College (13-0) into the semifinals Friday at Orlando Health Stadium on the campus of Eastern Florida State College.
Laramie’s Faith Meredith got the scoring going in the 52nd minute when she got into the box, beat Monroe goalkeeper Stefane Rosa when she came out to challenge, and put it home. It was the second goal of the tournament for Meredith, who had the game winner in overtime just a day before.
Trailing 1-0, the Mustangs put on quite a closing run as Grabias took the ball down the right side and scored on a low shot to the far post. That scenario would play itself out again eight minutes later – only from the left side – as Grabias gave Monroe a 2-1 lead in the 68th minute.
Grabias made it a hat trick with just under 13 minutes to go on an assist from Sydney Clarke. It was Clarke’s second assist of the day.
Laramie would slice into the lead when Taylor Meyrick scored with just over six minutes remaining in the contest. But that would be as close as the Golden Eagles would get.
Grabias, with help of a translator, said she was proud of her team.
“Whatever we do in practices, we show it on the field,” Grabias said. “We don’t give up. We go for the win.”
Laramie County (15-2-2), meanwhile, was left to regret not being able to finish out the final 30 minutes.
“We broke down defensively,” Laramie coach Jim Gardner said. “Since we lost our center back (Shaney McCabe) that’s been our Achille’s heel. Without her, I don’t think any of those things happen, but you can’t cry about spilt milk like that.
“… I thought we did a great job when we did score. I thought they were on their heels. We had several chances. I think we had more corners than they did (6-4). I think we had more shots than they did (14-13), but they’re really good at putting away their opportunities. They put them away when they had to and we didn’t.”
Wednesday’s game was the last as the head coach at Laramie County for Gardner. He is retiring after a 38-year career that included 18 at the junior college level.
“I’ve been blessed,” Gardner said. “All the times we’ve been here … I think this is our 11th time. We’ve been to the semifinals three times. I just got 250 wins.
“Shoot, every kid you have and every relationship you build is awesome. It’s been a great career. … I’m just blessed to have been able to coach the girls and see the players and the world as I have.”
