ARNOLD, MD – Down by a goal since the 14th minute, the Anne Arundel Community College men's soccer team rallied late with a pair of goals from Silas Baker to defeat visiting CCBC Catonsville, 2-1, Tuesday afternoon at Siegert Field.
CCBC (0-1) struck early off a corner set, seeing a Victor Heredia corner bounce loose in front of AACC keeper Kason Meckley for Chris Yokum to kick into the open net.
At the start of the second half, however, AACC came out of the gates stronger and as a visibly more cohesive unit.
"The guys showed a lot of character coming back," said AACC Head Coach Nick Cosentino. "We changed a few things, made some adjustments, and it paid off. It doesn't always pay off; a lot of it really just came from doing the things we emphasize in practice: shutting the ball down, increasing our intensity, putting some guys in different spots. Everyone really stepped up in a really big win."
Baker clearly frustrated his marker, seeing both goals come directly after cards to his defender.
Nicki Llerena set up Baker's first goal, a header off of Llerena's service in the 81st minute to tie the game. Sam Adams bore the brunt of Catonsville's frustrations as he was taken down on a breakaway just outside the box.
This set up Llerena for a direct kick this time, but hist attempt sailed over the cage. AACC wrangled the ball away from the Cardinals' clear attempt, seeing Jack Castle flick the ball over a defender to Baker to toe over the keeper.
Jason Meckley got the start in net for the Riverhawks, making one save and allowing the Cardinals' only goal. Ethan Miller was clutch in the second half with five saves to earn the win.
AACC (1-0) is back in action at home on Thursday in a 4 pm home game against the College of Southern Maryland.
