LA PLATA, Md. — Nine student-athletes from the College of Southern Maryland soccer programs earned spots on the 2025 NJCAA All-Region 20 teams, announced Nov. 6 by the conference. The women’s team, ranked 22nd nationally, placed six honorees, while the men’s squad received three selections. These honors recognize standout performances in a competitive division spanning Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and beyond, where Region 20 teams feed into national junior college championships.
The selections highlight a season of resilience for both programs at the La Plata campus, serving Charles, St. Mary’s and Calvert counties. For the women, the awards cap a campaign that saw them claim the top seed in the Region 20 tournament before a 3-2 final loss to Anne Arundel Community College on Nov. 1. The Hawks finished with a 14-4-1 overall record and 12-2-1 in conference play, outscoring opponents 89-21 across 19 games.Their defensive unit anchored seven shutouts, allowing just 1.11 goals per match, while the attack averaged 4.68 goals. This marks the program’s strongest showing since a record-setting 2012 season with 16 wins, underscoring steady growth under coaches who emphasize technical skill and community ties.
Leading the women’s honorees, sophomore forward Sara Allwine secured her second straight First Team nod with dominant production: 28 goals, 10 assists and 66 points on 91 shots, including 59 on goal and five game-winners. Her output paced the team and placed her among Region 20 leaders in scoring efficiency. Fellow sophomore Abby May also repeated as a First Teamer, contributing 17 goals, eight assists and 42 points via 60 shots and 34 on target. Three of her tallies proved decisive in victories, bolstering the Hawks’ undefeated streak through mid-October.
Sophomores Amber Jones and Kiera Salazar earned Second Team recognition for their offensive punch. Jones tallied 19 goals and seven assists for 45 points, while Salazar added 19 goals and six assists for 44 points — both ranking in the top three team-wide. Freshman defender Faith Wright, despite appearing in only 12 matches, made a Second Team impact with three goals and three assists for nine points, often shifting from the back line to spark transitions. Rounding out the group, sophomore defender Baylee Copsey garnered her second consecutive Honorable Mention. With modest attacking stats — seven shots, three on goal and zero points — her value lay in defensive tenacity, contributing to those seven clean sheets through precise positioning and aggressive play.
On the men’s side, the Hawks navigated a rebuilding year with a 6-12-1 overall mark and 4-9-1 conference record, scoring 31 goals while conceding 52. Freshman forward Matthew Knapp anchored the attack, earning First Team honors by netting 15 goals — nearly half the team’s total — for 32 points on 40 shots at a 37.5% conversion rate and 67.5% on target. All four of CSM’s game-winners came from his boot, including clutch strikes in tight contests. His efficiency stood out in a season of close losses, such as 4-2 defeats to Potomac State and Hagerstown.
Freshman defender Fondjo Ulrich Kamyou claimed Second Team status with a goal and two assists, highlighted by his strike in a rare win over Virginia Peninsula Community College. He converted seven of eight shots on target for an 87.5% accuracy rate, adding stability to a defense that faced high-pressure opponents. Sophomore defender Josky Densie received Honorable Mention for his assist in a victory against Frederick Community College, plus six shots with one on frame, providing reliable coverage in backline rotations.
These All-Region nods carry weight in junior college athletics, where NJCAA guidelines limit eligibility to two seasons and emphasize transferable skills for four-year programs. Region 20, one of 24 national divisions, selects teams based on coaches’ votes weighing stats, impact and versatility — criteria that favor players like Allwine and Knapp, who could draw scouts from nearby Division I schools such as the University of Maryland or Towson.
Looking ahead, the Hawks’ spring exhibitions could preview 2026 rosters, with freshmen like Wright and Knapp eligible for sophomores seasons. Region 20’s structure — 14 men’s and 12 women’s teams — ensures rigorous preparation, as seen in CSM’s tournament run where the women routed Garrett 10-0 in quarters before semifinals. Such depth prepares athletes for pro pathways or scholarships, with past CSM standouts transferring to programs like James Madison.
GO Matt!!! ??