BEL AIR, Md. — The Harford Community College men's soccer team overcame a halftime deficit and scored twice in the final 17 minutes Saturday to defeat Garrett College 3-2 in an NJCAA Region 20 Division II Tournament quarterfinal match at the Harford Sports Complex.
The third-seeded Fighting Owls improved to 12-5-2 overall and advanced to the semifinals after dominating the match statistically, outshooting the sixth-seeded Lakers 47-4 and holding a commanding 19-3 advantage in shots on goal. Garrett fell to 7-8-2.
Despite Harford's sustained offensive pressure, Garrett goalkeeper Wyatt Hull made 16 saves to keep the Lakers in contention until the final minutes.
Garrett's Darius Hamilton opened the scoring in the 31st minute, converting at 30:31 to give the Lakers a 1-0 lead. Harford responded less than a minute later when Mani Awah converted a penalty kick at 31:30 to even the score.
The Fighting Owls continued to create opportunities, but Hull repeatedly denied their attempts. Harford registered 18 shots in the first half alone, putting seven on target, while Garrett managed just four attempts and three shots on goal.
Harford's early pressure included saves by Hull on shots from Fernandinho Waidemam and Andile Muhlauri within the opening five minutes. Liam Henebery had two attempts blocked shortly afterward, while Waidemam forced another save in the ninth minute.
The Fighting Owls continued to test Hull throughout the half. Gabriel Nobrega, Pedro Azambuja and Kaito Takita each put shots on target, but the Garrett goalkeeper kept Harford from taking the lead. Other attempts were blocked or sailed high or wide as the hosts struggled to turn their territorial advantage into goals.
Garrett capitalized on one of its limited opportunities just before halftime. Hamilton scored his second goal of the match at 43:43, restoring the Lakers' lead at 2-1 heading into the break.
Harford goalkeeper Fabian Sutter made one save in the first half before Louka Chainey took over in goal after halftime.
The Fighting Owls intensified their attack in the second half, recording 29 shots while holding Garrett without a shot. Harford earned six second-half corner kicks and consistently forced Hull into action as it pursued the equalizer.
Finn Osborn and Otávio Trevisan tested Hull early in the half, while Takita also forced a save. Harford continued to generate chances from multiple areas of the field, with attempts from Awah, Azambuja, Isaiah Rodriguez and others either stopped by Hull, blocked by defenders or sent off target.
The pressure finally paid off in the 64th minute. Azambuja had a shot saved by Hull at 63:46, but the Harford forward followed up and scored off the rebound to tie the game at 2-2.
Azambuja continued to threaten after the equalizer, forcing another save at 65:38. Osborn sent an attempt high, and Awah had a shot stopped by Hull in the 69th minute as Harford searched for the go-ahead goal.
The Fighting Owls maintained their attacking rhythm into the closing stages. Takita, Ari Rollison and Rodriguez continued to test the Garrett defense, while additional efforts from Osborn, Simon Bauer and Muhlauri kept the pressure on the Lakers.
Hull made several more saves during the stretch, including stops on attempts by Rollison and Takita. Harford also generated additional opportunities from corner kicks, but the Lakers held firm as regulation entered its final minutes.
Harford finally broke through with less than three minutes remaining. Muhlauri converted a penalty kick in the 88th minute, giving the Fighting Owls a 3-2 lead and completing the late comeback.
Garrett could not find an equalizer, and Harford secured its place in the Region 20 Division II semifinals.
Awah, Azambuja and Muhlauri each scored for Harford, with Awah and Muhlauri converting penalty kicks. Hull finished with 16 saves for Garrett, while Sutter and Chainey combined for one save for the Fighting Owls.
Harford's 47 shots were nearly 12 times Garrett's total, and its 19 shots on goal compared with the Lakers' three underscored the Fighting Owls' offensive dominance. The victory marked a resilient performance from Harford, which overcame two deficits on the scoreboard before Muhlauri's late penalty kick secured the win.
Harford faces Howard Community College today at 6 p.m. in an NJCAA Region 20 Division II Tournament semifinal at CCBC Dundalk, hosted by CCBC Essex. Game time is scheduled for 6 p.m.
