Men's Soccer: Knights Vanquish Dragons 4-1, Capture Conference Co-Championship

By Jordan Ganzermiller

ROSEDALE, Md. -- Freshman Javier Avetrani scored two goals and added an assist in CCBC Essex's 4-1 win over the Howard Community College last night at CCBC Essex Stadium, as the Knights became the 2016 Maryland JUCO Athletic Conference Co-Champions.

It's the Knights' (13-5) second straight conference title. They share the 2016 crown with Frederick, after both teams finished 11-1 in conference this season.

It did not take long for the Knights to open up the scoring as Avetrani (Oakland Mills) claimed his assist in the 3^rd minute.

He played a through ball to sophomore Storm Robinson (Our Lady of Mount Carmel) who placed the ball into the lower left-hand corner as the keeper was sliding for the ball.

In the 8^th minute, the Dragons (8-9, 5-6 Maryland JUCO) nearly evened the score as the Knights committed a foul near the left sideline.

The free kick was directed to the near post where a Howard attacker volleyed it square into the post. The ball bounced back to the player, who once again volleyed it directly into the same post.

In the 15^th minute, sophomore Steve Momenya (Parkdale) got an assist to double the Knights' lead.

Momenya played a long ball over the Dragons' defense, which was met by freshman Nehemiah Crawford (Baltimore City College). Crawford took a touch towards goal, faked a shot with his right foot and then finished with a beautiful left-footed curling shot to the far left post.

In the 27^th minute, the Knights were forced to play a man down, after a red card was issued to sophomore Ibrahim Kouyate (Blair).

"Obviously, we had to be more defensive," said Momenya. "I was confident in my team and I knew that if we just stayed together, we were going to get the win."

Ten minutes later, Avetrani scored his first goal of the night.

The Knights won a free kick near midfield in the 37^th minute. It was dropped into the box and Howard goalkeeper Andre Dachao came out of his goal and punched it out of the air.

Dachao's punch landed right at Avetrani's feet who shot with a half-volley from the top of the box into an empty net.

In the 40^th minute, the Dragons got one back off of a gift from the Knights.

A long free kick was taken and bounced about six yards away from the goal with no Knight defender able to get a touch on it.

The ball eventually found its way to the far corner and though sophomore goalkeeper Trevor Brookhart (Liberty) got his fingertips on it, the ball still found its way into the back of the net.

Despite the Dragons' goal, the Knights took a commanding 3-1 lead to halftime.

The second half was not filled with as much attacking play as the first and neither team could seem to find a goal.

The action picked back up in the 86^th minute when Avetrani completed his brace and capped the scoring for the night.

A cross was played on the ground and went by everyone in the box.

Avetrani retrieved it and faked a shot with his right foot, before he rounded the keeper and tapped the ball into an open net.

"I think a lot of my game is finding the ball on the field and making things happen," said Avetrani. "This game, [my teammates] definitely found me a lot. And it turned out to be pretty successful for us."

In their 11 Maryland JUCO conference games, the Knights outscored its opponents 64-9.

Momenya had a great game against Howard, both offensively and defensively on Sophomore Day, his final home game.

"It was great," said Momenya. "It's a great feeling going out and playing the last game here with a win, especially against a great team like Howard. I'm really happy with the win."

The Knights have earned the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye in the NCJAA Region XX Division I Men's Soccer Tournament.

They will play the winner of Harford vs. CCBC Catonsville (Saturday, Oct. 22) on October 26 at CCBC Dundalk. Game time is scheduled for 6 p.m.

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