NJCAA REGIONAL FINALS:
To end the fall season, both the men’s soccer team and women’s volleyball team went to the NJCCA National Tournament.
Women’s volleyball arrived in Rochester, Minnesota to face off against Ridgewater College (MN) where they eventually lost all three sets 25-9, 25-17, and 25-12 in the quarterfinals on Friday. The volleyball team finished eighth in nationals.
The red hot men’s soccer team traveled to Herkimer CC in New York, where they beat Century College (MN) 4-0 in the quarter-finals. The Raptors’ first goal was scored by Hector Navarrete (Soph) with an assist by Javier Nieto early on. In the second half, in the 65th minute, a goal scored by Gabriel Ndiaye (Freshman) and assisted by Mohamed Ourale (Soph) put them up 2-0. The last goal cap the Raptors’ win was scored at the 89th minute by Ian Ooko, with a beautiful assist by Gabriel Ndiaye.
Day two in Herkimer: The men’s team advanced to the semi- finals where they played Suffolk CC (NY). At the end of the first half, the score was still nil-nil. Both teams knew they had to bring everything they had if they wanted a chance at a national title. Caio Fonseca (Soph) started off the second half with the help of Nick Castro (Soph). Suffolk, five minutes later, had a response tie the game at 1-1. Suffolk went on again to tack on another goal, making the game 2-1 via Mohamed Oulare (Soph) with an assist from Nick Castro (Soph). The men’s soccer team lost in the semi- finals with the final goal from Suffolk in the 76th minute, with a final score of 3-2.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL:
The Lady Raptors won their second straight game Thursday night, edging out a victory against the PGCC Owls 64-60, improving their overall record to 6-4.
They certainly picked up right where they left off defensively against NOVA college just two nights prior, holding a second consecutive opponent to 65 points or less. With what would seem to be a high-powered offensive attack in the season’s early goings, that defensive grit should be more than enough to take the Lady Raptors where they want to go.
MEN’S BASKETBALL:
The men’s team had no such defensive effort against the PGCC Owls. Coach Bryson’s team allowed their cross-county rivals to score 105 points, while only mustering 85 of their own.
Though their will indeed be plenty of chances to improve on their defense and overall record, the Raptors look inconsistent at best out of the gate. The upcoming Richard Bland Tournament may be just the remedy the Raptors need to turn around their inconsistent 3-4 record.
Bryson’s young team should be able to tweak some defensive strategies. Either that, or they’ll come out flat in Takoma Park against a fast Howard CC squad before the break.
