Game Recap: Men's Soccer Defeats Spartans 1-0

The Montgomery County Community College Mustangs men's soccer team hosted the Spartans of Northampton Community College in what was the first of two meetings in eight days.

Both teams came on strong in the midfield in the initial 25 minutes of play. As the midfielders battled, it became difficult for either team to connect passes and circulate the ball. Faithful to their style, the Mustangs continued to play a ground game but the Spartans were able to consistently break up passing plays.

With frustration mounting on both sides, Mustangs Head Coach Obed Arango made line up changes to advance his team's advantage. Positioning Moisei Scutaru in the middle of the field, along with setting up Sean Treacy and Brian Shim as the central defense, produced the desired result.

The Spartans began sending long, high balls deep into Mustangs territory, but were unable to create offensive pressure. By the 30:00 minute mark, the Mustangs started to dominate the game, although neither team was able to convert before the end of the half.

In the second half, Treacy was pushed up to striker, to work with freshman Elijah Johnson. The two combined to put a barrage of shots on the Spartans net. The Mustangs possessed the ball for close to 80% of the second half, sometimes connecting up to seven straight passes end line to end line.

Now winning nearly every 50/50 ball, the Mustangs pushed up Eric Sylvester and Jeremiah Garcia on the wings, to pressure the Spartans defense further. The move resulted in a number of earned corner kicks for the Mustangs. The lone game-winning goal was headed in by Jaron Kicinski, off a Mustangs corner kick taken by sophomore captain Mark Stoughton.

"Our Mustangs are looking better and better as games advance," commented Coach Arango. "We have good work, team chemistry and friendship. That combined with a philosophy of excellence is making all the difference for this soccer program."

The Mustangs are now 5-4-1 overall with two games remaining in the regular season. The team travels to Harrisburg Area Community College on Saturday and finally to face off against the Spartans again on Thursday. The Mustangs are looking for repeat victories in both meetings, to finish with a record of 7-4-1 and optimum seeding in the NJCAA Region 19 playoffs.