On November 4, 2010, the Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College Soccer team left to go to rainy New Hampshire to play in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) national tournament. For the first game of the tournament played on November 5, the SMWC Pomeroys proved that although they were coming in as the eighth seed, they were going to give the number one seed, University of Maine Fort Kent, a challenge. Coach Michael Aycock stated, “Your Pomeroys showed themselves as lionesses today, but could not quite pull off another stunning upset in the first round of the tournament.” At the end of the match, the Maine coach commented, “We thought we had a good draw then we were so unlucky to have to play you.”
The game was played under cold, wet conditions at Tree Farm Park. The early first half saw the Maine players build a lot of pressure on attacks through their incredibly fast wide players, getting multiple shots onto goal and creating havoc in the Pomeroys’ defense. While the Maine players celebrated, the Pomeroys cranked up their game. UMFK had more possession and an advantage in shots, but as the half wore on, the Pomeroys started to play with speed and ferocity of their own, getting to 50/50 balls, getting better attacks and chances, and backing the UMFK midfielders down. The final score was 4-1.
On November 6, 2010, the Pomeroys played their consolation match against number four seed, New Hampshire Technical Institute. In this match, Coach Aycock stated that the team played brilliant soccer, winning the match 4-1. It was a rematch of last year’s semifinal which ended in a 2-1 overtime victory for the Pomeroys, and the Lynx came in looking to even that score. However, tuned up by playing the formidable Maine Fort Kent Bengals, the Pomeroys took control early with sharp passing and speed of play. Just before the third minute was over, Britt Simmerman put Sam Morrison in, and she slotted the ball past the Lynx keeper for a 1-0 lead. The Pomeroys kept up a torrid pace and Logan Jones put in the second goal in the 17th minute on a corner kick sequence with another assist from Britt Simmerman to make it 2-0. The first half would see the Pomeroys outshoot the Lynx 17-2 and only allow them into the attacking end of the field 12 times. The third Pomeroy goal came in the 38th minute with Erin Pugh burying a shot on a pass from Julie Debish. In all, the Pomeroy starting eleven only played as a unit for about 30 of the 90 minutes, and every player saw significant playing time.
The Lynx found their best level of play in the second half, keeping closer to the Pomeroys in time of possession, but the Pomeroys struck again as Erin Pugh brought down a long punt from keeper April Baranowski, beat the last two defenders, and struck the ball home for a 4-0 lead in the 60th minute. To her great credit, Lynx goalkeeper Serena Quillin racked up 14 saves in a game that saw the Pomeroys get off 28 shots, 18 of them on goal. The Lynx got a goal back in the 70th minute from their excellent defender moved forward, Jahnna Doherty. The final whistle blew with the Pomeroys firmly in control.
Besides proving they belonged in at least the top four seeds, the Pomeroys also took away a raft of awards. Five Pomeroys earned Academic All-American honors: April Baranowski, Maureen Brown, Emily Contreraz, Erin Pugh, and Britt Simmerman. Erin Pugh was named an USCAA All-American for the second time, a new record for Pomeroy players, and April Baranowski won Honorable Mention All-American honors. Britt Simmerman, for her superb and gritty play anchoring the middle of the park, was named to the All-Tournament Team. It was a very successful trip, partly to provide the first-year players experience in tournament play and partly to show USCAA that The Woods is a legitimate soccer power in this level of play.