September 2, 2025
Columbia, MD — WVU Potomac State College Men's Soccer faced a tough challenge on the road, falling 5-0 to Howard Community College in a physical and high-tempo match.
Howard opened the scoring early in the 7th minute with Yeabsira Tesfaye's third goal of the season. Tesfaye continued to be a key figure in the second half, assisting on two goals by Bryan Barrientos (49', 55') and helping Howard build a commanding lead.
Despite trailing 1-0 at halftime, WVU Potomac State came out aggressive in the second half, registering several quality chances. Denis-Alexandre Talbot and Cesar Sales both forced saves from Howard's goalkeeper Jonathan Sanchez early in the period, while Emiliano Romero nearly found the back of the net in the 59th minute, hitting the post and then forcing another save seconds later.
Howard's offensive pressure proved relentless, with Julius Marks scoring twice (65', 87') to round out the scoring. Rafa Benitez assisted on the final goal, capping off a strong team performance for the Dragons.
WVU Potomac State goalkeeper Justin Leclerc recorded 8 saves, including several key stops to keep the Cats competitive. The defense also contributed with multiple defensive saves, including clutch interventions by Tomas Parra and Jonas Balele.
The match featured four yellow cards and a combined 15 fouls, underscoring the physical nature of the contest. Howard outshot Potomac State 30-12 and held a 10-2 edge in corner kicks.
Despite the loss, WVU Potomac State showed resilience and flashes of attacking promise, particularly in the second half. The team will look to regroup and build on the positives as they prepare for their next match.
Notable Performances
- Emiliano Romero: Had a standout moment in the Howard CC match, hitting the post and forcing a save in quick succession.
- Justin Leclerc: Continues to be a reliable presence in goal, recording 8 saves against Howard CC and consistently keeping the team competitive.
With the loss, the Catamounts move to 1-1 on the season and will look to bounce back at home against Allegany College of Maryland on September 4, 2025.