CCBC Essex Men's Soccer Wins Over Prince George's Community College with a 4-0 Victory

Written by: Michael Loman

Essex, MD- The CCBC Essex Men's Soccer team secured a dominant 4-0 victory over Prince George's Community College on August 29, 2024. The win marked another strong performance for CCBC Essex, as they displayed exceptional teamwork and effective execution on both ends of the field. The team's defense was unstoppable, not allowing a single goal for the third consecutive game, while their offense was relentless, producing four goals throughout the match.

Bartu Yakkan opened the scoring for CCBC Essex in the 17th minute, assisted by Angel Vargas-Hernandez, setting the tone for the rest of the game. Although the Knights took the early lead, it was still a closely contested half, as the Owls outshot the Knights 9-7, as well as shots on goal favored the Owls 4-2. 

The second half saw an even stronger offensive push from CCBC Essex, with goals coming from Jose Joya, Danny Nesteruk, and Alexis Maldonado. Joya's goal came from a well-placed penalty kick in the 77^th minute, while Nesteruk and Maldonado both found the back of the net in the 82^nd minute, further solidifying the team's lead, and ultimately securing the win.

CCBC Essex outshot Prince George's with 17 shots, 6 of which were on target, compared to Prince George's 11 shots and only 6 on target. Their defense, led by goalkeeper Colton Bagnall-Drought, who made several key saves, ensured that Prince George's was unable to find a breakthrough.

Key players to watch in this game included Alexis Maldonado, who not only scored but also contributed significantly to the midfield, and Bartu Yakkan, who continues to be a consistent offensive threat. Colton Bagnall-Drought's solid performance in goal was also crucial in maintaining the clean sheet.

After the game, we spoke with Bartu Yakkan, who commented on the team's performance, saying, "The shift in mindset was the key to victory in the second half." This mental adjustment was evident as the team's efforts resulted in them finding the back of the net three more times after halftime.

Head Coach Joe Fiedler noted, "We knew going into the game it was going to be physical and super athletic. I feel like the wind played a factor in the game." Despite these challenges, CCBC Essex adapted well, showing resilience and determination to secure the win.

With this win, CCBC Essex continues their unbeaten streak, showcasing a balanced team effort that makes them a strong contender in the league. The team's combination of strong defense and finishing will be essential as they move forward in the season. 

Heading into Thursday's match against WVC Potomac State College, the Knights look to continue their dominance and come out on top.