Braz Wins 100th Game as Raptors Trounce #2 Ranked CCBC Essex

Baltimore, MD - In an electrifying soccer match on September 14, 2023, the Montgomery College Raptors faced off against the formidable CCBC Essex Knights, who were ranked #2 in the nation in NJCAA Division II. The game, hosted by CCBC Essex, not only featured high stakes but also marked a significant milestone in the coaching career of Raptors' Head Coach Pedro Braz.

The first half of the game was a hard-fought, fast-paced battle, with the Knights taking a 1-0 lead in the 27th minute when Zach Eichelberger capitalized on a well-executed cross to the far post. This lead held as the teams headed into halftime.

The second half, however, saw a dramatic turnaround as the Raptors mounted a stunning comeback. In the 57th minute, Carlo Romberg, the Raptors' leading goal scorer, found the back of the net with an assist from Oliver Skinner, leveling the score at 1-1.

The pivotal moment of the game occurred in the 64th minute when the Raptors played a through ball to Oliver Skinner, and Knights defender Erick Ochieng resorted to an intentional foul to prevent a goal-scoring opportunity, receiving a red card in the process.

The subsequent minute saw more action as Carlo Romberg coolly converted a penalty kick, giving the Raptors a 2-1 lead. Two minutes later, the Raptors capitalized on a corner kick, with Romberg providing a crafty pass into the box. Yosuke Ono seized the opportunity with a remarkable strike from 30 yards out, finding the top corner and extending the Raptors' lead to 3-1.

The Raptors weren't done yet, as Nathan Booth added a fourth goal in the 70th minute, taking advantage of a loose ball created by Oliver Skinner's relentless pressure against the Knights' defense. As the clock ticked down, the game reached its climax with a sensational goal by freshman Paolo Perez. With only three seconds left to play, Perez unleashed a first-time volley from a forty-yard cross, leaving spectators and fans awestruck and demonstrating the AC Milan academy graduate's pedigree.

In the end, the Montgomery College Raptors triumphed over the highly ranked CCBC Essex Knights with a resounding 5-1 victory in the second half. This win not only showcased the Raptors' resilience and scoring prowess but also marked a historic milestone, with it being Coach Pedro Braz's 100th career win. The game will be remembered as a thrilling display of soccer talent and an important chapter in Coach Braz's remarkable coaching journey.

Raptor Bites

• Freshman midfielder Carl Romberg had his three consecutive multigoal game and currently leads NJCAA DI in goals scored
• Freshman Nathan Booth scored his first career goal. 
• Redshirt Freshman Joao Ribeiro started his first game for the Raptors.