Raptors Win Shoot Out in West Virginia
Keyser, WV - Coming off their loss to Harford, the Montgomery College Raptors headed west to take on WVU-Potomac State. Potomac State came into the game with a solid record of 8-4-1, but riding a three game losing streak. Both teams were looking to get back to winning ways and the goals flowed in an exciting 4-3 win for the Raptors.
The Raptors attack was in control through much of the first half, but Potomac State's goalkeeper Tim Bailey made a clutch of tough saves to preserve the 0-0 tie through most of the first half. Against the run of play, the Catamounts struck first in the 35th minute. Defending a cross, Raptor's center back Brian Noutchang made contact with the Potomac State striker and conceeded a penalty kick. The Catamount's leading scorer, Rashid Nacif converted from the spot for the 1-0 lead. The Raptors responded quickly however with Deric Pocasangre striking true to tie the game 1-1 in the 39th minute. The score remained level at half.
In the second half, both attacks came out firing. Nacif collected his second goal in the 52nd minute to give Potomac State a 2-1 lead. The Raptors responded immedately, with both fullbacks combining to score. Right back Sota Matsuo crossed to the far post to find left back Ishwarpreet Singh pushed up. Singh finished the chance and tied the game 2-2. Realizing the vulnerability in the Potomac State defense, the two fullbacks combined again seven minutes later for Singh's second goal of the night. Singh would complete his hat trick one minute later, as goalkeeper Bailey misplayed Singh's chip into the box. The ball slipped past the keeper to give Singh his third goal and the Raptor's the 4-2 lead. Nacif would compete a hattrick of his own in the 82nd minute to make the game interesting. However the Raptors held on for the final seven minutes and got back on track with the 4-3 win.
The Raptors are now 12-3 and face Frederick Community College on October 17th to finish the regular season.
Raptor Bites:
- Ishwarpreet Singh collected his first hat trick for the Raptors. He has four goals in 14 appearances this season.
- Deric Pocasangre scored his 13th goal of the season, putting him in the top 10 nationally and third on the team.
- Sota Matsuo's two assists bring his total to twelve for the season, putting him top 5 nationally and second on the team.
- Last season (2021) the Raptors hosted WVU-Potomac State and won 4-0. This was the Raptor's first trip to West Virginia since the 2019 season.