As the NJCAA national tournament approaches, the CCBC-Essex men’s lacrosse team is in favorable standing.
Culminating the regular season with dominant wins over Howard Community College and Mercer County Community College, the Knights then went on to post stellar outings to begin the postseason.
In the Region 20 semifinals and finals, CCBC-Essex was victorious in rematches against Howard Community College and Harford Community College — two nationally regarded lacrosse programs.
In the Region 20 semifinal on April 26 at Siegert Field in Anne Arundel County, the Knights were tied with Howard CC, 2-2, after the first quarter. Afterward, CCBC-Essex unleashed an offensive onslaught paired with defensive tenacity to cruise to a 13-3 win.
The Knights held the Dragons to one goal in the second quarter and outscored their opponent 8-0 in the second half. CCBC-Essex recorded 59 shot attempts to Howard’s 17. Attacker Owen Fasulka scored four goals and three assists while Bradley David recorded three goals and an assist to lead the way for the Knights.
Most recently, the Knights bested No. 1-ranked Harford CC 14-9 on April 28 to become the regional champions.
The second half was evenly matched as both squads exchanged seven goals each. However, a strong start in the first half for CCBC-Essex was pivotal to the outcome.
The Knights were able to build a 7-2 halftime lead, and despite the back-and-forth offensive exchange in the third and fourth quarters, CCBC-Essex never relinquished its lead.
David was crucial down the stretch with six goals and an assist; the sophomore also collected three ground balls. Tracy Tucker and Fasulka added a google and two assists apiece to power the Knights to the Region 20 title win that capped off a four-game winning streak and gave them a 10-3 overall record entering the national tournament.
The NJCAA released the national tournament brackets on April 29, which are arranged in a field of six. The Knights, ranked No. 1, will face the winner of No. 4 Onandaga Community College and No. 5 Genesee Community College.
On the other slide of the bracket, No. 2 Nassau CC will face the winner of No. 3 Harford CC and No. 6 Howard CC.
Last year, CCBC-Essex fell to Harford, 11-6, in the semifinals. The Fighting Owls went on to win the national title, defeating Nassau 13-8. The Knights, led by Head Coach Tyler Covey, are on a mission to redeem themselves from last year’s season-ending loss.
The national tournament, hosted by Harford CC in Bel Air, will kick off May 11-12.
Baseball aims to end regular season on high note
The CCBC-Essex baseball team has had rocky season this year, holding a 19-23 record heading into its final week.
The Knights did, however, manage a sweep of Garrett College on April 30.
They will conclude the regular season on May 3 in a double header at home against Lackawanna College. The first pitch is scheduled at 1 p.m. and the second game will begin at 3:30 p.m.
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