Harford Men’s Soccer Falls in Final 40 Seconds, 1-0, to Howard

From the HCC sports desk:

COLUMBIA, Md.—Pierrick Etoughe took Costin Ruta’s pass from center and fired from six yards out on the left side with 40 seconds remaining in regulation to lift Howard over Harford men’s soccer, 1-0, on Tuesday at Howard Community College.

Sophomore goalkeeper Taylor Dize (Bel Air, Md./Salem Christian) was brilliant in the net for the Fighting Owls (3-4-1, 3-1-1 MDJUCO), recording 10 saves, while his counterpart, Francis Ekiko managed seven for the Dragons (4-0-1.

The game was a physical one, with 25 fouls called between the two teams, 14 against Harford and 11 for Howard, while the Owls also picked up four cards including a red card ejection. Freshman Derek Hyde (Fallston, Md./Fallston) and sophomore Santi Meija (Bel Air, Md./C. Milton Wright) were tabbed in the first half, while freshman Francis Adade (Kumasi, Ghana/Kumasi) was ejected in the 75th minute and sophomore John Deasel (Bel Air, Md./C. Milton Wright/York) also picked up a caution in the second half.

The Dragons outshot the Owls, 23-13, and held a 6-2 advantage on corner kicks, but were called offside six times as compared to Harford’s two transgressions.

The Fighting Owls return to action on Saturday when they wrap up a five-game roadstand at CCBC-Essex at 1:00 p.m.