McKenzie Wilson on champion Cougars

2017 Oct 23

Congratulations to McKenzie Wilson, of South Hadley, a member of the 2017 HCC Women's Soccer team, which defeated NCJAA Div. III rival Springfield Technical Community College 2-0 Sunday, Oct. 22, to win the New England Championship (Region XXI) for the sixth consecutive year.

Playing at home on O'Connell Field in the title game, the Cougars made it 1-0 in the 41st minute on a goal by freshman Tamara Nicholson with an assist from sophomore Catherine Hotham.

Co-captain and sophomore Allison Zollo knocked in the team's second goal in the 60th minute on an assist from Emma Gomes.

The Cougars, the top-seeded team in this year's NJCAA Division III Region XXI tournament, had shut out the STCC Rams in two previous meetings this season by scores of 4-0 and 5-0.

"STCC played us pretty strong, but we had a little too much for them to handle," said head coach Rob Galazka '94. "This year's group deserves their New England Championship. Great group of kids and great soccer players."

STCC, the number two seeded team, defeated Massassoit Community College Friday, Oct. 20, in the semi-final game to earn the right to play HCC for the championship.

HCC was undefeated in regional play this season with an 8-0-0 record, amassing an overall record of 13-4-0, recording seven shutouts and conceding just one goal while scoring 52 in regional play.

The 2017 women's soccer team includes: Maddisin Atkinson, Olivia Brooks, Lina Caicedo, Emma Gomes, Miranda Grochowski, Catherine Hotham, Shannon McCarthy, Tamara Nicholson, Jessica Patruno, Cassidy Snyder, McKenzie Wilson, Lizbeth Zambrano, Allison Zollo, and Madison Zollo.