Bel Air, MD - The Harford Community College men's soccer program opened the season with many new faces and high expectations. In the season opener, Harford hosted the Hagerstown Hawks. Both teams struggled to control the pace of the contest early in the 1st half. With a lot of new faces (only 5 returners) on the sideline, Coach Bill Wardle focused on finding the right combination to put on the pitch. At the 36th minute, sophomore Rex Pearce broke the scoring lines and netted a ball passed the Hawk keeper. The teams went into the half with Harford up, 1-0. 
In the 2nd half, Harford began to dominate the pitch by controlling the pace of the contest and sending multiple shots at Hagerstown. Harford took 39 shots with 19 on goal. Of those 19 on goal, 6 found the back of the net. The Fighting Owls added goals from Ethan Doukhan, Samuel Dragunas, Mahomet Doucoure, Juan Gamez Bejerano, and Lawrence Taishier. Harford keepers, Archie Bennett and Louis Reichert, only faced 6 shots (5 on goal) on the day. 

In the second match of the season, the Fighting Owls looked to continue their offensive prowness as they hosted Anne Arundel Community College Riverhawks. Sporting one of the largest rosters in Harford men's soccer history, the team controlled the contest from kickoff to the last whistle. Harford netted 12 goals on the day with hat tricks from Rex Pearce and Matteo Corazza. Ethan Doukhan opened the contest with back to back goals at the 11 minute and 19 minute mark. Rex Pearce added his three tallies within a span of 7 minutes in the 1st half. 

Harford keepers, Archie Bennett and Nick Cannon, only faced 8 shots (1 on goal) on the day. Last season, the Fighting Owls were one of the top defensive teams. Based on the start of the season, that trend will continue. The Fighting Owls travel to South Carolina this weekend to take on 13th ranked Daytona State College and USC-Lancaster.