Nelson Hernandez and Biruk Yitayew each scored twice as the No. 11 Howard Community College Dragons defeated the Anne Arundel Community College Riverhawks 6-0 in men’s soccer Sept. 29, 2026, in Columbia, Maryland.
The Dragons led 2-0 at halftime and scored four times in the final 20 minutes. Howard Community College outshot Anne Arundel Community College 33-14 and finished with 17 shots on goal.
Howard Community College Builds Early Lead
Hernandez opened the scoring in the ninth minute after a sequence of passes from Angel Giron-Ramos and Yitayew. Jackson Costell added a goal in the 24th minute off a pass from Alonso Aguilar, giving Howard Community College a two-goal lead at halftime.
Anne Arundel Community College generated more pressure after halftime, but Howard Community College goalkeeper Alejandro Dealvarez preserved the shutout with six saves. Dealvarez also made a save near the crossbar during the Riverhawks’ second-half push.
Dragons Score Four Times Late
Yitayew extended Howard Community College’s lead in the 70th minute off a pass from Carson Feeser. Hernandez scored one minute later on another Feeser assist to make it 4-0.
Gabriel Alejandro Vasquez scored his first career goal in the 79th minute off a pass from Kiar Sani. Yitayew completed the scoring in the 88th minute, with Sani providing the assist.
Hernandez finished with seven shots, three shots on goal and two goals. Yitayew recorded six shots, four shots on goal, two goals and two assists, while Feeser had five shots, three shots on goal and two assists. Vasquez added three shots on goal, and Sani finished with two assists.
Howard Community College Men’s Soccer Looks Ahead
Howard Community College entered the match with an 8-1-1 overall record and a 7-1-0 conference record. Anne Arundel Community College entered with a 6-2-1 overall record and a 5-2-1 conference record.
The Dragons next face nationally ranked Montgomery College on Thursday, Oct. 1, at 7 p.m. on the road.
MSB Analysis
Howard Community College used a 33-14 shot advantage and a four-goal finish over the final 20 minutes to secure the shutout. Hernandez and Yitayew accounted for four goals, while Dealvarez made six saves to preserve the result.
Source: Original report
