COLUMBIA, Md. — The College of Southern Maryland women’s soccer team opened its 2025 season with a 24-0 victory over Howard Community College on August 26, improving to 1-0 overall and 1-0 in Maryland JUCO Conference play. The Hawks scored 15 goals in the first half and nine in the second during the 70-minute match at Dragon Stadium, marking their second straight win in the series. Howard fell to 0-1 overall and 0-1 in conference.
Kiera Salazar led the offensive onslaught in her collegiate debut, scoring six goals, including four in the first half and two in the second. Abby May added four goals, and Sara Allwine contributed three for hat tricks. Amber Jones and Abigail Noftsier each scored two goals, with LJ May and Raynna Ratchford also netting two apiece. Single goals came from Zoey Lisbon-Browne, Kiera Wilcher and Faith Wright. Assists were recorded by Allwine, Jones, Noftsier, Wright, Taylor Hopkins and the team.
The Hawks wasted no time, scoring twice in the first minute. May opened at 0:28 unassisted, followed by Allwine at 0:42 unassisted. May struck again at 7:58 unassisted, then Salazar scored at 8:17 and 10:29, both unassisted. LJ May added at 11:41 unassisted, Jones at 16:45 assisted by Allwine, Salazar at 17:30 unassisted, Allwine at 22:01 unassisted, May at 22:52 assisted by Jones, May at 27:26 unassisted, LJ May at 29:42 unassisted, Noftsier at 35:15 unassisted, Jones at 38:52 unassisted and Salazar at 41:16 unassisted to close the half at 15-0.
In the second half, Wilcher scored at 50:42 unassisted, Ratchford at 55:26 assisted by Noftsier, Salazar at 55:26 unassisted, Wright at 60:14 assisted by the team, Ratchford at 60:14 unassisted, Salazar at 60:29 unassisted, Allwine at 61:41 unassisted, Lisbon-Browne at 65:32 assisted by Hopkins and Noftsier at 68:36 assisted by Wright.
CSM outshot Howard 41-1, with 30 shots on goal to Howard’s one. The Hawks earned three corner kicks and committed no fouls, while Howard had two fouls and no corners. Kylie Smith started in goal for CSM, making one save in 45 minutes. Baylee Copsey played the final 23 minutes 41 seconds in net, facing no shots. Howard’s McKinley Deshaies made six saves but allowed all 24 goals.
Live updates from the CSM athletics account captured the pace. Early in the match, the team noted two goals in the first 45 seconds. By the 20th minute, the score reached 8-0, with Salazar already at a hat trick. At halftime, the lead stood at 15-0, listing multiple contributors.
Head coach Richard Landis guided the Hawks to the win, building on the program’s history of success in the conference. The team leads the series 9-3 since 2012, with Howard’s last victory on October 15, 2021, by 6-0. In the 2023-24 season, CSM finished 7-4-2 overall.
The Hawks’ roster featured strong performances across positions. Salazar took 10 shots, eight on goal. May had five shots, four on goal. Allwine recorded six shots, three on goal. Jones had eight shots, three on goal. Noftsier and Ratchford each had two shots on goal. The defense limited Howard to one shot from Kaily Ok.
Howard’s roster included players like Deshaies in goal, Sadia Tariq, Alexis Smithson and others, but the Dragons could not generate offense against CSM’s pressure.
The match lasted one hour 46 minutes, starting at 4 p.m. with no attendance recorded. Scorer was Isaac Donsky.
CSM next hosts Mercer County Community College on August 29 at 2 p.m. in La Plata for its home opener. Mercer competes in NJCAA Division I, presenting a step up in competition. The Hawks aim to maintain momentum after the shutout.
Such lopsided scores occur in junior college soccer when talent gaps exist, often in season openers. NJCAA records track high marks, though specific highest game totals are not publicly listed in standard rankings. CSM’s output ranks among notable performances, showcasing depth with 11 different scorers.
The win sets a tone for the season, with returners and newcomers blending effectively. The program’s focus on development in the Maryland JUCO Conference, part of NJCAA Region 20, emphasizes competitive play and advancement opportunities.
Howard looks to rebound in its next contest, facing similar conference challenges. The Dragons’ single shot highlights areas for improvement in possession and attack.
CSM’s men’s team played earlier the same day, falling 4-0 to Howard in the doubleheader opener. The women’s result provided a split for the program on the road trip.
