Knights Make use of Roster Depth, Down Trojans 12-0

By Devon Douglas

Rosedale, Md. -- Four Knights scored their first collegiate goals last night in a 12-0 victory over the Allegany College of Maryland Trojans at CCBC Essex Stadium.

Despite the large margin between the two teams, the Knights started the game with their usual 11 starters.

Essex looked to score immediately and found the back of the net three times in the first two minutes of play.

The first goal came just 18 seconds into the match, scored by sophomore midfielder Andy Portillo (Laurel, Md.). The next two were finished by freshman forward Henry Ortiz (Mount Airy, Md.).

Both Portillo and Ortiz lead the Knights in goal scoring this season with five goals each.

Allegany struggled to get the ball into the Knights defensive half and they had zero shots in the match, compared to the Knights 26.

Just seven minutes into the first half and up 4-0, CCBC Essex head coach Joe Fiedler substituted off all 10 field starters.

Freshmen Riku Kawano (Tokushima, Japan), Logan Jacurak (Parkville, Md.), Steven Fulton (Dundalk, Md.) and Noe Kabre (Perry Hall, Md.) all scored their first collegiate goals.

Fellow freshman Michael Adekanmbi (Bowie, Md.) contributed by scoring two goals.

"Our [reserve players] are coming along pretty well," said Portillo. "They are starting to move the ball quicker, releasing the ball quick, and they scored most of the goals tonight."

Sophomore Toyosi Osemobor (Jessup, Md.) saw more minutes tonight and capitalized on his opportunity, finishing with a hat trick.

"[Osemobor] has gotten a lot better as well," said Portillo. "He's a player that didn't play much in the beginning of the season, but he's starting to show a lot more now."

Leam Wilson (Middle River, Md.) and Zachary Lambert (Sparrows Point, Md.) showed prowess throughout, even though they did not find the back of the net.

Wilson used his pace to get past Allegany's defense and often got crosses off into the box.

Lambert led the midfield by distributing the ball and became the Knights main facilitator for the night.

"All the starters are so good during practice and during the games, and we learn a lot of stuff from them," Lambert said.

Next Up

The Knights travel to CCBC Catonsville this Saturday to take on their sibling rival. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m.