By Steven M. Glassman
Director of Sports Information
October 13, 2016
JENKINTOWN, PA—Four different Essex County College (3-5 overall, 2-2 NJCAA Region XIX Division I) players scored goals and sophomore goalkeeper Patrick Pierre made 16 saves as they defeated Manor College (5-9, 0-4), 4-1.
This was the final regular season home game for eight outgoing sophomores—midfielder Kareem Devenish (Philadelphia, PA/George Washington), defenseman Kyle Goldbloom (Philadelphia, PA/Father Judge), goalkeeper Thomas Hipwell (Cheltenham, PA/Cheltenham), midfielder Tyler Keefer (Pottstown, PA/Pottstown), defenseman Tyler Macintyre (Philadelphia, PA/Calvin Christian Academy), midfielder Kevin Rodriguez (Pottstown, PA/Pottsgrove), midfielder Dashan Santiago (Philadelphia, PA/George Washington), and midfielder Cole Speiser (Philadelphia, PA/Father Judge).
Manor nearly scored first in the third minute. Santiago's corner kick went to freshman Max Dossou (Philadelphia, PA/George Washington). Dossou's shot inside the 18-yard line went over the cross bar. In the sixth minute, Essex County freshman Brent Joel's corner kick punched away in traffic by Hipwell. The Wolverines struck first in the 13th minute. Freshman Malachi Linonge passed left to freshman Angel Cajilema inside 18 and kicked past Hipwell into the right side of the net for a 1-0 lead. In the 15th, Manor freshman forward Phedel Saye (Philadelphia, PA/Northeast) found freshman midfielder Jehbleh Jah (Philadelphia, PA/George Washington) inside the 18, but, was called offside. Hipwell made a punch save in traffic again inside the 18th. Santiago's direct kick outside the 18 in the 22nd found Saye, but, his shot went wide right of the goal. Essex County extended the lead to 2-0 in the 33rd minute. Freshman Michael Osei's shot went off of Hipwell, but, sophomore Showayne Simpson kicked the rebound into the net. In the 40th, Blue Jay freshman midfielder Hussein Shnati's (Philadelphia, PA/Northeast) shot went wide right following a throw-in. Saye's shot went over the cross bar in the final minute of the half. Essex County led at halftime, 2-0. Manor was outshot 15 to 13. The Wolverines had more shots on goal 11 to five.
The Blue Jays nearly scored twice early in the second half. In the opening minute of the second half, Rodriguez passed to freshman midfielder Eddy Rangel (Philadelphia, PA/Father Judge), but, it was saved by Pierre. Jah shot in the 46th minute was initially saved by Pierre, and, Saye's opportunity was cleared away by freshman Benjamin Perbi. Linongue's shot outside the 18 was initially saved by freshman goalkeeper Emmanuel Caire (Philadelphia, PA/Samuel S. Fels), but, freshman Witchi Diejuste kicked in the 49th minute for a 3-0 lead. Diejuste's passed the ball to Linongue in the 53rd, but, his shot went wide left. Essex County nearly extended the lead to 4-0 in the 61st, Linongue's shot was initially saved by Caire, but, was cleared away by freshman defenseman Innocent Bazongo (Philadelphia, PA/Samuel S. Fels). Jah's header was saved by Pierre in the 68th. Freshman defenseman Steven Heller's (Philadelphia, PA/Franklin Towne Charter) indirect kick was also saved by Pierre in the 71st. About a minute later, the Wolverines added to their lead. Outside the 18, Diejuste passed the ball up the middle to Joel inside the 18 and kicked it past Caire to close out Essex County's scoring. Speiser's corner kick in the 73rd was initially saved by Pierre, and, Jah's shot went over the crossbar. Bazongo's shot in the 75th went wide right. Saye's shot inside the 18 in the 80th was punched away by Pierre. Manor finally struck in the 81st when Heller's shot inside the 18 went past Pierre for first collegiate goal. Speiser's header in the 82nd was saved by Pierre. The match was stopped by the referee shortly after the 85th minute.
Individually, Jah led the Blue Jays with six shots and Saye and Bazongo contributed four apiece. Speiser paced Manor with three shots on goal. Hipwell made ten saves and Caire added nine. The Blue Jays were outshot 31 to 30. Essex County also had more shots on goal than Manor (23 to 17).
Manor finished the 2016 regular season with a 2-5-0 home record. They were outscored 21 to 20. This is the first time since 2013 (37) the Blue Jays have scored 20 or more goals in a season at home. Since moving up to Division I in 2014, Manor is 5-16-0 at home and have been outscored 69 to 46.
The Blue Jays remain winless since moving up to Division I in 2014 (0-11-0). They have been outscored 50 to eight. The last time Manor defeated a Division I team was on September 10, 2013 (3-1 at Essex County). The last time they defeated a Division I team at home was on October 10, 2009 (3-0 versus Salem Community College).
The loss drops Manor's series record versus Essex County to 1-5-0 (since 2005), including three straight overall losses. The Blue Jays are 0-3-0 at home versus the Wolverines. They have been outscored 25 to nine (18 to four at home).
The Blue Jays' final regular season match is at Division I Harcum College (9-5-0, 1-2-0) 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 18.