The College of Southern Maryland’s season opener under new head coach Scott Kopicko ended in heartbreak Friday, as the Hawks rallied from a 3-0 halftime deficit only to fall 4-3 to Harford Community College on a stoppage-time own goal.
Harford, playing under seventh-year head coach Bill Wardle, controlled the first half completely at CSM Soccer Field in La Plata. Forward Kaito Takita opened the scoring just 2:27 in on a penalty kick, then set up the Fighting Owls’ third goal in the 40th minute after Simon Bauer had made it 2-0 in the 29th. Harford outshot CSM 7-3 in the opening half and carried a commanding lead into the break.
Southern Maryland responded with a different team after the break. Blaine Ganley pulled one back unassisted just after the hour mark, Stephen Jones made it 3-2 six minutes later, and Tre Williams completed the comeback in the 76th minute, tying the match 3-3 and setting up a frantic final stretch. But in the 89th minute, an own goal handed Harford the go-ahead score and, ultimately, the 4-3 win.
Harford goalkeeper Fabian Sutter earned the win despite facing 11 shots on goal, making three saves. Southern Maryland’s Matthew Knapp made eight saves in the loss but conceded four goals on 12 shots on target. CSM was whistled for just one foul all match and never trailed in shots after halftime, finishing with a 9-4 edge in corner kicks, but couldn’t overcome the early hole.
The result opens Kopicko’s tenure with a loss, though the second-half response offers an early sign of what he’s building. Kopicko was hired in June after three seasons as JV head coach at Leonardtown High School, where his teams went 30-2-4 and contributed to a state championship run, and he has also coached with Southern Maryland Rush’s girls’ travel program. He inherits a CSM team that went 4-9-4 overall and 2-8-3 in NJCAA Region 20 play a year ago.
Friday’s loss also extended Harford’s recent dominance in the series — the Fighting Owls beat CSM 4-0 in their last meeting, on Oct. 21, 2025, also at CSM Soccer Field. Harford went 11-7-2 last season and returns a roster with significant international representation, including players from Chile and Brazil, a hallmark of the program under Wardle.
Five different Harford players drew yellow cards over the course of the match, along with a team card in the closing minutes; Southern Maryland’s Ryan Kopicko and Hayden Miller were each also carded in the second half. CSM opens the rest of its schedule looking to build on Friday’s second-half performance under its new coach.
