Largo, MD — Abdulsalam Osman scored a hat trick to lead Prince George’s Community College to a 4-1 victory over the College of Southern Maryland in a Maryland Junior College Athletic Association men’s soccer matchup Tuesday night at the PGCC Sports Complex. The win improved the Owls to 3-4-1 overall and 2-3-1 in conference play, while the Hawks fell to 4-5-4 and 2-5-3, complicating their push for a Region 20 tournament berth in the final weeks of the regular season.
Osman, a sophomore forward from Largo High School, opened the scoring in the 19th minute, finishing a through ball from midfielder Kevin Santos to give the Owls a 1-0 lead. He doubled the advantage nine minutes later, tapping in a rebound after a shot from Ezana Misganaw caromed off the post. The Hawks responded late in the first half when freshman forward Xavier Lalanne headed home a corner kick from Bryce Lawson in the 37th minute, cutting the deficit to 2-1 at the break. Lalanne, a North Point High School graduate playing his first season at CSM, finished with a team-high two shots on goal.
The second half belonged to Prince George’s, as Osman completed his treble in the 62nd minute on an assist from Miguel Santana Diaz, restoring the two-goal cushion at 3-1. Santana Diaz, who earned his second assist of the night, set up the insurance goal in the 79th minute when his cross found Jose Montoya for a one-time volley that sealed the 4-1 final. The Owls outshot CSM 16-7 in the second period, including 7-3 on frame, showcasing their control after halftime adjustments by interim head coach Taiye Akinmboni.
Defensively, PGCC goalkeeper Ngonya Tajong earned the win with three saves in 80 minutes of relief work, entering after Sifan Gemtessa played the first 10 minutes. For the Hawks, Brandon Rollins took the loss, allowing four goals on 13 shots while making two stops in a full 90-minute effort. The Owls also held a 6-3 edge in corner kicks and forced CSM into six fouls, compared to nine committed by Prince George’s. Late yellow cards to Owls defender Yaovi Attamelko in the 49th minute and forward Khalid Weathersby in the 87th did not disrupt the visitors’ rhythm.
This matchup highlighted the competitive balance in the MD JUCO conference, where both teams entered with middling records but showed flashes of potential. The Hawks, coached by Nick Porovne in his first full season, relied on a youthful roster featuring 16 freshmen, including locals like midfielder Donovan Dean from Chopticon High School and defender Diego Garcia-Diaz, who notched CSM’s only other shot on goal. Porovne’s squad started the year with promise, tying Frederick Community College and beating Carroll Community College, but recent losses have dropped them to fifth in the seven-team Region 20 Division II standings as of October 1. With four games remaining, including a homecoming tilt against Potomac State on October 3, the Hawks need at least two wins to secure a tournament spot, per NJCAA Region 20 qualification rules that advance the top four teams to the November playoffs.
Prince George’s, meanwhile, snapped a three-game skid with the victory, having lost 7-1 to Harford Community College on August 28 and 5-1 to West Virginia University Potomac State in their opener. The Owls’ attack, led by Osman’s five goals through nine games, has been a bright spot in a season marred by early defensive lapses. Montoya’s tally was his first of the campaign, while Misganaw and Santana Diaz each contributed an assist, underscoring the depth in PGCC’s midfield. The team sits fourth in the conference, one point ahead of CSM, positioning them well for a potential semifinal home game if they finish strong.
Looking ahead, CSM hosts Garrett College on October 11, a must-win against a winless Owls rival, while Prince George’s travels to Montgomery College on October 2, facing a top-ranked squad that sits No. 2 nationally in early polls. These late-season games will determine seeding for the Region 20 tournament, held November 5-9 at rotating sites, with the winner advancing to the NJCAA Division II national championships in Herndon, Virginia.
The Hawks’ season, launched August 22 with a loss at CCBC Essex, has featured highs like a 2-2 draw at Howard on September 5 and lows including a 3-0 shutout by Anne Arundel on September 19.
