SCCC Scores Many Goals and Victories This Season

By Ximena Malpica

Journalism I Student

(SCCC Women’s Team) Photo provided by Coach Mike Rath

This season, the Women’s Soccer team at Sussex County Community College in Newton took home many titles and victories.

The team started the season this past August, winning its first game of the season at Community College of Baltimore County in Baltimore, MD.

The team scored 2-1 on Sunday, Nov. 2, when it played and defeated Mercer County Community College, leading them to win the NJCAA Region XIX Division II Championship. Abby Mara scored the game-winning goal with a header after Sage Henry delivered an inch-perfect free kick into the box in double overtime. 

“The team celebrated together on the field and were jumping around,” Coach Mike Rath said. “They know that there is still work to be done to achieve our goals, so no crazy celebrations yet, I’m afraid!” 

Rath is the head coach of the Women’s and Men’s Soccer Teams at SCCC, serving both roles at the same time. He was previously a student at SCCC and has always had, what he calls “hoke” to come back and work for the Athletic department. 

“I was an assistant coach and associate head coach with both teams since 2016 and a head coach for the women's soccer team in 2022,” he said. “Sussex has been my second home. I have been fortunate enough to coach high-level programs here and create long-lasting relationships through the years with players, coaches, and staff.”

This isn’t the first time the Women’s Soccer Team has won the regional title. This is the sixth regional title they have won. They were champions back in 2015, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and currently this year, according to SCCC’s athletic website. 

He prepares his team by using and focusing his adjustments, working with athletic trainers, and competitive components, but also highlighting each player’s preferences. 

Winning this title felt amazing for both the head coach and the team. Summarizing his words, when comparing last season to this season, it is night and day with the growth that the team has made.

Before winning the District Title this season, he described what he looked forward to.

“Hopefully a District Title this Friday, we want to be back to a nationally ranked team and one that is consistently competing for the National Title,” he said. 

For this team, this season has been full of many trophies. Although this season started small, and it lost a couple of players due to injuries, it kept fighting adversities and becoming more resilient each time as a team.

To finish off, Rath commented on how he motivates his team. 

“It really depends on the team and individual,” he said. “Motivation is not my strongest skill set, as I believe most motivation is intrinsic.  But each team and player will have their own drive and things that push them to play at their best.  It’s on me to find what those are and give little nudges in that direction when needed.”

Photo provided by Coach Rath

The season concluded on Nov. 17 with a 5-0 win at Pima Community College in Wichita, Kan. The soccer team was selected as a 10 seed in the 2025 NJCAA DII Women’s Soccer National Championship. 

If anyone is interested in playing soccer at SCCC for next season, contact Coach Rath via email at mrath@sussex.edu or soccer@sussex.edu, or go to its athletic website, sussexskylanders.com.