Fernandes’ Header Sends WSOC to NJCAA Nationals

Massasoit tops Holyoke to win first Region 21 title in 22 years

BROCKTON, Mass. ---- Kiana Fernandes (Taunton) headed in the lone goal at Warrior Field on Monday afternoon to give the Massasoit women's soccer team a 1-0 Region 21 Championship victory against Holyoke Community College.

The win punches Massasoit's ticket to the NJCAA National Tournament, hosted by Genesee Community College in Batavia, New York, from Nov. 11-14. It marks the Warriors first Region 21 Championship since 1999 and first NJCAA appearance since 1989.

Monday's matinee match went into halftime deadlocked in a scoreless tie. Holyoke (4-10-1) put the pressure on the 10^th-ranked Warriors in the first half, but keeper Ailish Olmstead (Brockton) was up to the task.

In the second half, Massasoit (11-0-0) showed some more pep in its step, as momentum shifted in the second half to the home team.

HCC limited Massasoit's scoring chances, until the 65^th minute when Vanessa Dos Anjos (Raynham) fired a shot just over the crossbar.

Three minutes later, Fernandes nearly broke the scoreless tie, but her shot was snagged by HCC keeper Emily Yan.

In the 71^st minute, the Warriors attempted a corner kick. Emily Blake (Whitman) lofted a pass into the box that was headed back out to her by a Cougar defender. The freshman rifled a pass back into the box and Fernandes was there to head it home, accounting for the lone goal of the day.

"Amazing how the only goal of the game came off a header from Kiana – our shortest player on the team," head coach Jim Stapleton said. "She has been such a weapon for us all year and she always finds a way."

The Massasoit defense and Olmstead in goal held strong the final 19 minutes of action. HCC did have one breakaway chance in the final minute, but Olmstead made one of her four saves on the day to secure Massasoit's first regional title in women's soccer in 22 years.

"Our defense really stepped up today," Stapleton said. "Ailish is so calm in goal. Even on that breakaway at the end of the game she stayed calm. Our defense has only allowed two goals all year and she has only allowed one in net which has carried us at times. I'm happy for the girls and we will see what happens at Nationals."

The Warriors were finally able to break through against Holyoke in the regional finals. The Cougars had won the last five meetings in the regional finals dating back to 2010.

Massasoit will await the NJCAA National Tournament seeding announcement to see its opponent in the opening round.