Soccer Returns to Prince George's, Owls Set To Take On Hagerstown In 2021 Season Opener

Prince George's Community College men's soccer team returns to the pitch tomorrow, September 2^nd after a year away from action due to COVID-19. After a postponement earlier in the week at Harford, the Owls are now set to kick off the season against Hagerstown Community College on Thursday afternoon, September 2^nd at 5 pm. 

The matchup will be the Owls first game in nearly two years, with their last match taking place on Friday, November 1^st, 2019. The 2-0 loss to Oxford College of Emory University in 2019 ended Prince George's season in the NJCAA Division III Region 20 tournament semi-finals which were hosted by Anne Arundel Community College. Prince George's Community College is scheduled to host the Division III South District/Region 20 Championship this year from October 28-30^th.

As expected after a year-long hiatus, the Largo program will return only a few familiar faces who have previous experience at the college. The Owls will see interim head coach Cedric Mansaray, who was an assistant with the Owls in 2018 and 2019, take the field for the first time as head coach. Coach Mansaray was named interim head coach prior to the start of the season and has been with the team since practice began on August 2^nd. 

The Owls have two returners from the 2019 squad in sophomores Franklin Urrutia (Bladensburg, MD) and Miguel Rosales (Fairmont Heights, MD). Both saw significant playing time during their freshman years as Rosales started in 4 out of a possible 15 games which included netting the game-winning goal against NOVA on a penalty kick. Urrutia started all 15 games for the Owls as a defenseman and expects to be looked on as a leader as the season gets underway. 

Hagerstown enters Thursday's contest with an 1-1 record, coming off of a 4-2 win over the second-year program Carroll Community College on Tuesday, August 31^st. Hagerstown had previously fell to Harford the week prior in a 5-3 shootout. 

Look for Prince George's to aim to set the tone early on their home field against Hagerstown as they work to determine their identity under new leadership for the 2021 season. Those who are unable to attend the match in person are encouraged to follow along with live statistics here along with a live stream.