In a closely contested soccer match, the Fighting Owls men's soccer team secured a thrilling 3-2 victory against the Carroll Lynx on the road tonight. The match was marked by intense action, pinpoint set peices, and moments of individual brilliance.
Carroll Community College opened the scoring in the 37th minute, with Nathan Burndley finding the back of the net, putting them ahead 1-0. However, Harford quickly responded in the second half. Jaden Clark-Leyva equalized for Harford in the 49th minute, assisted by Rex Pearce. This goal shifted the momentum and set the stage for an intense battle.
Harford continued to push forward, taking the lead in the 58th minute with Mikel Iniesta's goal. The Lynx didn't back down and managed to level the score once again in the 64th minute, with Zach Gaegler's goal bringing the game back to tied at 2-2.
As the clock ticked down, the match remained finely balanced. In the 77th minute, Rex Pearce stepped up to a free kick just outside the box and delivered the game winner. His strike managed to find the right side of the net, just out of reach of the Carroll goalkeeper, giving Harford a crucial lead of 3-2. Despite their best efforts, Carroll couldn't find another equalizer, and Harford held on to secure the victory.
The match saw both teams displaying determination and skill. Harford outshot Carroll, registering a total of 23 shots (9 on goal), while Carroll managed 13 shots (7 on goal). Both goalkeepers were put to the test, making key saves to keep their teams in the game. Jake Van Voorhees ended the contest with 5 saves for the Fighting Owls.
The intensity of the match was reflected in the statistical categories. Both teams were evenly matched in terms of shots on goal and corner kicks, showcasing the competitive nature of the game. Fouls were also prevalent, with a total of 32 fouls committed throughout the match and three yellow cards.
Up next, the Fighting Owls host CCBC Catonsville in their 2023 home opener. The contest kicks off at 5:00pm at Harford Stadium this Thursday, August 31st.
