Pioneers Punch Ticket To Kissimmee, Florida
Samuel Warren
Herald Staff
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The 2024 Campbellsville University-Harrodsburg Pioneers Women’s soccer team achieved a feat no other men’s or women’s soccer team in the program’s five-year history ever has on Monday, Nov. 4, when they outplayed the Alice Lloyd Eagles (0-12) in the NCCAA MidEast Regional Championship game. The men’s program won three MidEast Regional tournament games throughout the 2021-2022 seasons but never achieved a berth in the NCCAA National Tournament.
The Pioneers had previously defeated the Eagles twice in 2024 by a combined score of 15-1. The Pioneers won this season over Grace Christian College and Trinity Baptist College. Their record of 5-10-1 is the most wins in program history. In the past, the Pioneers competed in the Midwest Regional and the South Region of the NCCAA. Now in her fourth season as head coach of the program, Samantha Damschroder is proud of her team and their accomplishments.
The Pioneers took control of the game from kickoff and found it easy to maintain possession. Freshman forward Madison Yates controlled the ball in the opponent’s third of the field for much of the first half. The ball seemed glued to Yates ‘ feet despite missing the last 12 games with illness. The Pioneers fired away soon after the match began, but shots from freshman Shaina Walker and sophomore Kennedy Stamper rolled just wide of the post. Eventually, Yates, a former star at North Hardin High, put the Pioneers on top with a rocket that traveled into the top right corner (19’). Bailey Boone is one of just three upperclassmen and two players who have played with the program for at least three seasons. After three years with the program, the junior grabbed her first goal after being played toward the goal by Yates (30’).
“Everyone is so happy for Bailey; she has been working for that for a long time,” said Damschroder.
CU-Harrodsburg forward Madison Yates led the charge for the Pioneers in their 4-0 NCCAA MidEast Regional Championship win over Alice Lloyd College on Monday, Nov. 4. Yates finished the match with two goals and an assist. (The Harrodsburg Herald/Samuel Warren).
The Pioneers worked the ball around the field with ease and wingers Halee Hood and Walker, were sending in crosses consistently. One of them was bound to land at the feet of a Pioneer forward. Eventually, Yates slotted her second in the net after Hood delivered a pinpoint pass in front of the goal (60’). The Pioneers took 35 shots during the game and the Eagles only managed four, none of which tested goalkeeper Ryleigh Sipe, who completed her third clean sheet of the season. As a result of her play in between the goalposts and on the field, Sipe was selected as the 2024 MidEast Region Player of the Year.
Hood, one of two seniors on the team, grabbed her sixth goal of the season with 10 minutes left in the contest after receiving a pass from freshman midfielder Kazmin Messer. The Pioneers completed the 4-0 win, and earned a 3-0 record against their in-state rivals Alice Lloyd in 2024.
Pioneer forward Kazmin Messer stepped into a shot during Harrodsburg’s Regional Championship win. Messer assisted Harrodsburg’s fourth goal. (The Harrodsburg Herald/Samuel Warren).
“When I recruit, I tell them that each year I want to build a little bit more,” Damchroder said. After securing potentially the most talented class of recruits in program history, Damschroder hopes having success so quickly will go a long way in keeping some of the gifted freshmen on campus. The win also benefits the team by extending the season and giving the girls more time to practice and grow as a team.
The Pioneers have been taking advantage of the extra time as other NCCAA regions finish their tournaments to get some much-needed rest. Several players are recovering from various injuries, but they’ve been constantly scouting and watching films on potential future opponents. Senior defender Brooklyn Blair will be sidelined with a knee injury in her final season. Still, the captain’s absence has motivated the Pioneers ahead of their first-ever national tournament appearance.
The NCCAA Division-II National Women’s Soccer tournament will be held at the Austin-Tindall Sports Complex in Kissimmee, FL. The tournament will consist of two groups of three, and each team is guaranteed to play each of the other programs in their group. The winner of each group advances to the National Title game on Saturday, Nov. 23. At press time, two of the six teams competing in the tournament were still unknown. Damschroder and the Pioneers have yet to determine who they will be facing, but tournament games will be played on Tuesday-Thursday, Nov. 19-21, at 6 p.m.
“It’s very interesting, I’ve never played a tournament like this. I’m curious to see how it plays out,” said Damschroder.
Fans can watch the Pioneers’ games on the NCCAA Network found at https://www.nccaanetwork.com.
The Pioneers are asking the community to help make their Florida trip. Those wanting to help the team can donate at https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/
