Men’s Soccer: Knights Beat Hawks, Clinch #1 Seed in Region XX Div I Tourney

By Philip C. Jones

CCBC Essex men's soccer clinched the No. 1 seed in the NJCAA Region XX Division I Tournament last night with a 2-1 home victory over Hagerstown C.C. on Sophomore Night.

"We're the number seed [in the regional tournament], so everyone is going to come at us now," said head coach Joe Fiedler. "We have to be ready."

The Knights (9-4, 9-1 Maryland JUCO) will seek it fourth consecutive Region XX title when the tournament begins on Oct. 24.

Hagerstown scored the first goal of the game when Alejandro Oliart scored in the 10^th minute of play and was assisted by Jermaine Hardy, Jr.

In the 20^th minute, sophomore Guillermo Almirall (The John Carroll School) tied the score with a beautiful unassisted goal.

Sophomore Kyle Mizell (Archbishop Curley) scored what would be the game-winning goal in the 38^th minute of play, as he converted on a penalty kick.

Freshman goalie Trevor Brookhart (Liberty) returned in net for the Knights, after missing the last four games with an ankle injury.

He played well and was only forced to make one save, as the Knights defense played solid after allowing the early goal.

The victory on Thursday night marks the sixth consecutive win for the Knights, who will be tested this weekend.

Next up for the Knights
A trip north where CCBC Essex will meet Monroe College (Bronx, N.Y.), the No. 1 ranked NJCAA Division I team, on Saturday and ASA College on Sunday.