New York, New York - The NJCAA Division III No. 9 nationally ranked BMCC men's soccer team utilized two second-half goals to outmuscle Ulster County Community College, 2-0, in the 2024 Region 15 quarterfinals on Saturday afternoon at Pier 40. The Panthers improved to 10-3-1 and advanced to the Region 15 semifinals for the first time since 2019. The Senators end their season falling to 8-5-1.
BMCC has won 10 matches for the first time in four seasons, extending its winning streak to four games and unbeaten streak to six games. The Panthers will face the winner of NJCAA Division III No. 4 nationally ranked Nassau Community College and Kingsborough Community College in the 2024 Region 15 semifinals.
Ulster Community College controlled possession for most of the first half, outshooting the Panthers 16-9 overall. The Senators almost broke through in the seventh minute, but Imari Harris's left-footed blast was turned away by El Momar Coundoul (Bronx, New York). Coundoul made five of his game-high tied nine stops in the first half to keep it 0-0 at the halftime break.
The Panthers finally found their rhythm in the second half, outshooting the Senators 12-0 in the second half and 21-16 overall, breaking through with the game's first goal in the 60th minute on their third corner of the match. Freshman Sebastien George (Brooklyn, New York) bent a beautiful ball onto the head of classmate Salim Anas (Bronx, New York), who deflected it into the high right pocket of the net to give the Panthers the 1-0 lead.
George would notch an insurance goal for BMCC in the 79th minute to make it 2-0. Freshman Bangaly Soumahoro (New York, New York) raced down the right wing and fed George inside the 18, who would move to his left and bury a low left-footed roller into the low left pocket of the net to stretch the advantage to two. George's ninth goal of the season tied him for first on the team. BMCC was able to bleed out the rest of the clock and capture their first Region 15 playoff win in four seasons with a 2-0 victory.
Coundoul won his ninth match of the season and fourth straight, posting his second shutout and tying Santiago Saavedra, who was also brilliant in the match with a game-high nine saves.
BMCC will continue its postseason quest, traveling to Garden City, New York, to face Nassau Community College on Wednesday, October 30, at 6 p.m. in the Region 15 semifinals. For more information, visit the BMCC Men's Soccer Schedule.
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