On a crisp September afternoon in Westminster, Maryland, the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) Hawks men’s soccer team secured a 3-1 victory over the Carroll Community College Lynx on September 4, 2025, at Lynx Field. The match, part of the Maryland Junior College Athletic Conference (MD JUCO) schedule, showcased Southern Maryland’s offensive precision and defensive resilience, improving their record to 1-1-2 (1-1-1 in conference play) while Carroll fell to 0-3 (0-3 in conference).
The game’s first goal came in the 19th minute when Southern Maryland’s Zion Abdullah capitalized on a defensive lapse, striking an unassisted shot to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead. Carroll responded late in the first half, with Mourad Maacha leveling the score at 1-1 in the 33rd minute, also unassisted, keeping the match competitive heading into halftime. Southern Maryland dominated possession in the first half, outshooting Carroll 4-2 and earning five corner kicks to Carroll’s zero.
The second half belonged to Southern Maryland’s Matthew Knapp, who emerged as the game’s standout performer. Just two minutes into the period, Knapp scored his first goal of the match, unassisted, to restore the Hawks’ lead at 2-1. As the game neared its close, Knapp sealed the victory with a second unassisted goal in the 80th minute, securing the 3-1 final score. Knapp’s brace, combined with his three shots on goal, highlighted his pivotal role in the Hawks’ attack.
Southern Maryland’s offense was balanced, with eight shots, four on target, led by Knapp and Fondjo Ulrich Kamyou, who also recorded three shots. Carroll struggled to generate consistent scoring chances, managing only four shots, two on goal, with Maacha and Yahir Gonzalez accounting for their lone efforts on target. A yellow card to Carroll’s Evan John Myers in the 20th minute was the only disciplinary action of the match, with no fouls recorded for either team, indicating a clean, competitive contest.
In goal, Southern Maryland’s Brandon Rollins faced two shots on target, conceding one goal while making one save over 45 minutes. Carroll’s Alexander Nicolaides faced a tougher test, allowing three goals on four shots on target but making three saves to keep the Lynx in the game. Despite Carroll’s defensive efforts, Southern Maryland’s ability to convert key opportunities proved decisive.
The victory provides Southern Maryland with momentum as they continue their MD JUCO campaign, while Carroll looks to rebound from their third consecutive loss.
For Southern Maryland, this win underscores their potential to compete in the conference, particularly with players like Knapp and Abdullah stepping up in critical moments. The Hawks’ ability to generate eight shots and five corner kicks reflects a proactive style that could serve them well in upcoming matches. Carroll, meanwhile, faces the challenge of finding offensive rhythm, as their four shots and lack of corner kicks highlight areas for improvement.
The MD JUCO men’s soccer schedule continues to unfold, with Southern Maryland aiming to build on this performance and Carroll seeking their first win. Fans can follow the Hawks’ progress through official updates on the Maryland Junior College Athletic Conference website. For local soccer enthusiasts in Southern Maryland, the Hawks’ victory offers a point of pride as the team represents the region in competitive collegiate play.
