Riverhawks women’s soccer lost 2-1 at home to Sussex Community College on Nov. 7, ending the team’s season short of a bid to the NJCAA Division II national championship tournament.

The Riverhawks won their second straight Region 20 title with a Nov. 1 win over the College of Southern Maryland.

Second-year engineering student Emma Miga said she learned a lot during her time as a team captain.

“It’s taught me about the importance of leadership, determination and … [it’s] given me a lot of relationships that I want to keep with me forever,” said Miga, a forward.

Second-year psychology student Eden Abey, a defensive outside back, said her connection with teammates had been “so different this year. Like, these are my best friends.”

With such a deep connection among the players this year, the loss of the second-year athletes will be difficult, head coach Jim Griffiths said.

“They’ve been the cornerstone of our last two years,” Griffiths said. “You don’t replace what we’re losing. You just hope you can fill in the best you can.”

Griffiths said he had formed a bond with the women that will last a lifetime and goes beyond soccer.

“I’ve been here since 2001 and you’re talking to one of the best, if not the best, player to ever play for me,” Griffiths said about Miga, the team’s leading goal scorer.

The team’s final record was an impressive 15-5, including a 12-4 regular season and 3-1 postseason.