BALTIMORE — The Harford Community College men's soccer team defeated Anne Arundel Community College, 5-1, Tuesday at Under Armour Stadium in a home match for the Fighting Owls. Harford improved to 2-0-0 on the season, while the Riverhawks fell to 0-1-0.
Harford outshot Anne Arundel 22-5 and held a 14-2 advantage in shots in the second half. The Fighting Owls also earned six corner kicks to the Riverhawks' two.
Fernandinho Waidemam (Sao Paulo, Brazil) opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, giving Harford a 1-0 lead at 21:32. Ari Rollison (Sydney, Australia) assisted on the goal. Anne Arundel answered less than seven minutes later when Gio Reyes scored at 28:10 off an assist from Jeffrey Serrano, tying the match at 1-1.
"We're still learning who's who," said head coach Bill Wardle. "The players are still learning each other, so there's a big curve. That's part of the process"
The Fighting Owls regained the lead before halftime. At 35:10, Rollison scored with an assist from Isaiah Rodriguez (Stephen Decatur H.S.), putting Harford ahead 2-1. Rodriguez had struck the post just six seconds earlier. Harford carried the one-goal advantage into halftime.
Harford extended its lead early in the second half. At 57:44, Kaito Takita (Kobe, Osaka Bay, Japan) scored off an assist from Liam Henebery (Sydney, Australia) to make it 3-1. Rollison later hit the post at 60:47 before Waidemam added his second goal of the match at 67:08, pushing the Fighting Owls' advantage to 4-1.
Henebery capped the scoring at 76:03, scoring Harford's fifth goal of the night. The Fighting Owls continued to create chances late, with Rollison recording another shot on goal at 76:42.
"We want to keep building," Wardel said. "That's what we try to do every day, just get a little bit better. A big part of that right now is building and understanding each other."
Waidemam finished with two goals on three shots, including two shots on goal. Rollison recorded one goal and one assist on six shots, putting five attempts on target. Takita added one goal on three shots, while Henebery contributed one goal and one assist on two shots. Rodriguez recorded one assist and three shots.
Harford goalkeeper Fabian Sutter (Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany) played the first half and made one save while allowing one goal. Louka Chainey (Quebec City, Quebec, Canada) played the second half without allowing a goal or recording a save.
One thing that was not lost on Harford in the victory was getting the chance to play at an amazing facility.
"It's a professional grade stadium," Wardle said of Under Armour Stadium. "It's a beautiful opportunity for the student-athletes. They walked in and right away they were hyped. They began scanning the field with their phones to share with [friends and family] where they were playing. It's a privilege to play here."
