Raptors Continue Winning Streak in 2-0 Victory Over Howard

Rockville, MD – The women's soccer team opened conference play on Tuesday, September 13, hosting Howard Community College Dragons (1-6, 0-2.) In a strong performance against a conference rival, the Raptors secured a 4-0 win, extending their winning streak to three games.   

Howard challenged the Raptor's backline early, but they were unable to break through, with goalkeeper Lizzy Mayo making a save in the third minute. In the twelfth minute the Raptors earned a free-kick and Aiden Carpen placed a lovely ball over the top of a high backline to free a charging Sabrina Di Marzio behind the defense. On a breakaway, Di Marzio drew the goalkeeper off her line and placed her shot past the goalkeeper to establish an early lead.  

The offensive continued for the Raptors as the team tried to play through balls and find ways to get behind the defense of the Dragons. In the 25^th minute, Di Marzio struck again from distance. Receiving the ball outside the box, Di Marzio placed a beautiful shot over the outstretched arms of the goalkeeper and under the bar to the far post. The goal was Di Marzio's fourth of the season and her first multi-goal game for the Raptors. The Raptors were able to generate numerous other opportunities while their defense continued their impressive performance for the remainder of the half where the score remained 2-0.  

It did not take long after the break for Montgomery College to find the back of the net for the third time as Nieve Barry found Ayla Khorsand in an opening and she placed a shot off the inside post and in the goal to make the score 3-0. Khorsand has been threatening the opposition backlines in the past three matches and this time her efforts paid off with her first collegiate goal.  

The game looked to end at 3-0 until Nieve Barry received a pass from Di Marzio, noticed the GK out of position and floated a ball over her and into the back of the net. Barry's 86^th minute goal was her second of the season and extended the lead to 4-0 for Montgomery College.  The four goals scored were a season high for the Raptor soccer team after winning the previous two games with identical 2-0 score lines.  

Howard continued to counter and press for a goal. The Dragons best scoring opportunity of the match came from fifteen yards out late in the match when Lizzy Mayo dove to her right to make a remarkable save and keep the shut-out alive for the Raptors. Mayo, Elijae Cobbs, Thai Williamson, Aiden Carpen, Jalisa Alfaro, and Juliana Franco have been outstanding defensively for Montgomery College and have extended the shut-out streak to three consecutive matches.  

Montgomery College is back in action Thursday, September 14, 2022 15^th at 5:00 pm against College of Southern Maryland. The conference match will be played at the soccer stadium and the Rockville campus and can also be viewed online on the Montgomery College Raptors YouTube channel.