BEL AIR, Md. – A half-dozen second half goals from Essex spoiled Harford's season opener, as the Fighting Owls fell to the Knights, 6-1, Tuesday night at the Harford Sports Complex.
Harford freshman goalkeeper
Ben Florio put on a stellar performance, stopping 14 shots across the 90-minute contest. His seven saves in the opening half kept the score line at 0-0 heading into the break.
Essex came out swinging early in the second, scoring three times in the first 13 minutes. Harford finally found a goal in the 66' minute, as
Barrett Young threaded a ball around the Essex keeper and onto the boot of
Auston Pellegrino, who finished with a left-footed strike for first his first collegiate goal.
The newfound momentum did not last long, as Essex went on to score three more times in the final 20 minutes to head back to Baltimore with the win.
Harford drops to 0-1 (0-1 Md Juco) with the loss, while the Knights improve to 2-1 (1-0 Md Juco).
Scoring Summary
46' – Essex – Daigo Adachi (Assisted by Andy Portillo)
55' – Essex – Isaiah Price
58' – Essex – Daigo Adachi
66' – HARFORD – Auston Pellegrino (Barrett Young)
71' – Essex - Isaiah Price
71' – Essex – Sam Adunah
87' – Essex – Wilfred Tinay (Rez Ahmeti)
GK Records
W: Jack Roby (2-1)
L:
Ben Florio (0-1)
Key Stats and Notes
- Essex outshot Harford, 38-6.
- The Knights earned nine corner kicks while the Fighting Owls claimed one.
- Harford was whistled for six less fouls than Essex.
- Neither team was awarded a card in the contest.
- Harford drops to 2-13-1 against the Knights since 2008.
Up Next
Harford heads to West Virginia to take on Potomac State in Keyser for the first time in Harford soccer's modern era.
Kickoff is slated for 3 p.m.
