CCBC Essex Men’s Soccer Advances to Championship with Strong Win Over Howard Community College

Written by: Michael Loman

Essex, MD- The CCBC Essex men's soccer team advanced to the NJCAA Division II Region 20 Championship after beating Howard Community College 4-1. From the start, CCBC Essex controlled the game, taking 21 shots compared to Howard's 7. This strong play shows just how dominant Essex was on both offense and defense​.

CCBC Essex set the pace early, with Bartu Yakkan scoring the first goal in the 8th minute. Shortly after, Aidan Hidassy scored another goal, with an assist from Bartu Yakkan, giving Essex a 2-0 lead. These quick goals made it clear that Essex was ready to keep Howard under pressure for the entire game​.

Howard managed to score once in the 39th minute thanks to a goal from Sam Santos, assisted by Truce Norton. This goal brought some energy back to Howard, but Essex's defense stepped up to make sure they didn't get any closer. At halftime, Essex still led 2-1, keeping their advantage safe. 

In the second half, CCBC Essex continued their strong performance. Alexis Maldonado scored in the 85th minute, with an assist from Bartu Yakkan, making the score 3-1. Just three minutes later, Victor Kanarek scored again, assisted by Alexis Maldonado, ending the game at 4-1. Essex's ability to score at key moments shows the depth and teamwork of the whole squad​.

CCBC Essex's accuracy was impressive, as they had 11 shots on target out of 21 attempts, putting pressure on Howard's goalie, who made seven saves. This high percentage of on-target shots was a big factor in Essex's success, as they made sure to take quality shots when it mattered most​. 

Essex's goalie, Colton Bagnall-Droug, also had a great game, with five saves that kept Howard from coming back. His solid goalkeeping kept Howard's offense from gaining any momentum, and with the help of a strong defense, Essex maintained their lead throughout the game​.

As they look ahead to the Region 20 Championship game against Frederick Community College, CCBC Essex has momentum on their side. Their teamwork, strong defense, and ability to score goals make them a tough team to beat. Key players like Bartu Yakkan and Alexis Maldonado will be the ones to watch as they aim for the championship title​.

With momentum from this win, CCBC Essex is set to bring their best game to the championship. Their focus, accuracy, and team support give them a strong chance to keep their winning streak alive and take home the title.