Montgomery Men, CCBC Essex Men and Women Remain Ranked in Soccer Polls
CHARLOTTE, Nc. – Three soccer teams from two Region 20 members sit among the nations best after strong starts to the season. Montgomery College's men's soccer team and both the men's and women's teams from CCBC Essex rank within the top 20 in their respective divisions.
With a 6-0-1 record, the Montgomery College men moved into the 20th spot in the latest Division I poll. The Raptors are 1-1 in Division I games with an impressive 4-1 victory over Region 20 rival Harford. Montgomery tied 18th ranked Harcum College to open their September schedule and have won four straight games since, including the win over Harford. The remaining victories for Montgomery are over Region 20, Division II opponents, in which they've been dominant. The Raptors have outscored their opponents 41-4 in their seven contests. They will be tested in their next five contests which includes three Division I opponents and two Division II opponents. The five opponents have a combined record of 17-3-8 with the biggest test of Montgomery's season coming against 10th ranked Daytona State on September 21.
The CCBC Essex men's team has been around the top five in the Division II poll all season. The Knights are no stranger to the national polls having been consistently ranked the last several seasons. With a 6-2 record, CCBC Essex is currently ranked sixth. The Knights are undefeated in Division II play and their two losses are to very talented Division I opponents. CCBC Essex has not surrendered a goal to a Region 20 divisional opponent and has only allowed one goal against Division II teams. They have scored 33 goals and allowed nine. They will finish out the month with divisional opponents before playing Division I Harford and Montgomery in October. The Knights finish their regular season with Howard who is currently 5-0 on the season.
The CCBC Essex women's team has also been ranked all season after earning a trip to the national tournament in 2023. The Knights were 5-0 at the release of the latest poll, earning the 19th spot in the rankings. They opened their season with six straight wins, including four shutouts. The Knights have compiled a 4-0 record against Region 20 divisional opponents while also besting Region 10's Richard Bland College and Wake Technical Community College. Their biggest test came against previously ranked Cape Fear Community College out of Region 10. The two teams played to a 3-3 draw in the Knights second consecutive day of action. After losing a non-Division game to Hagerstown, the CCBC Essex women have a gap in their schedule before hosting Anne Arundel in a rematch of the Division II Region 20 championship played a season ago.
Earning recognition with their counterparts on the men's soccer side is Harford, Howard and Prince George's. Harford is currently 6-3 with all three of their losses coming to ranked Division I teams. They have only surrendered two goals in their six wins. Howard is currently 6-0 with five Division II wins and a win against Division I Hagerstown. They are currently outscoring opponents 26-2. Prince George's, with a 4-1-2 record, has four divisional wins and their only loss is to the ranked Knights of CCBC Essex.
On the women's side, Division I Hagerstown sits at 8-1 on the season. After a loss to Anne Arundel earlier in September, Hagerstown has won four straight games, including a victory over ranked CCBC Essex. Freshman True Benshoff of Hagerstown currently leads Division I in goals with 28 on the season.