No. 15 Richard Bland Defeats No. 19 Harcum (Pa.) 1-0

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS (YouTube)

SOUTH PRINCE GEORGE, Va. – Freshman David Negrin/Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain scored the game-winning goal in the first half to lead nationally-ranked No. 15 Richard Bland College to a 1-0 men's soccer victory past No. 19 Harcum (Pa.) College on Monday afternoon at the Statesman Soccer Field.  Classmate Uziel Hernandez/The Villages, Florida provided the assist for the host Statesmen (15-1) against the visiting Bears (8-4-1) in a battle of NJCAA Division I Top 20 teams.  Richard Bland will remain at home to play Region X member Cape Fear (N.C.) Community College in the regular season finale on Wednesday, October 18, at 4 p.m. at the Statesman Soccer Field.  The re-scheduled match (from Oct. 10) against the Sea Devils is designated as Sophomore Day for the eight Statesmen completing their eligibility.

"Playing a Top 20 ranked team is always a hard task," said fourth-year head coach Eduardo de Souza.  "Our team played well today, and most importantly, we did not concede.  Our group is strong.  David Negrin came off the bench and changed the game, not only scoring the game-winner, but helping the team with his pace and skills.  Once-again, we have a strong conference opponent on Wednesday."

Richard Bland scored the only goal of the well-played, and closely-played contest in the 36th minute when Negrin finished a nice serve in the box from the right side by Hernandez with his header into the back of the net.  It remained 1-0 at the intermission, and throughout the second half for the difference in the match.  It was the third goal of the season for Negrin, and the team-leading ninth assist for Hernandez.

Sophomore keeper Tomás Fonseca/Torres Vedras, Portugal, aided by the outstanding play of his defensive teammates, took care of the rest with four saves toward the team's ninth shutout this season.  Fonseca started in front of the net for the Statesmen and played the entire contest for his seventh shutout.

Richard Bland took a 10-9 advantage in shots against Harcum, while it was even at 4-4 in attempts on goal, as well as at 2-2 on corner kicks.

Richard Bland and Harcum were meeting for the fourth time in the sport of men's soccer, and the series is now tied, 2-2.  The Statesmen, who secured their school-record 15th win this season, have now won two-straight in the series against the Bears.

Following Sophomore Day on Wednesday against Cape Fear, Richard Bland will have a few days off before hosting a Region X Tournament first-round match against an opponent to be determined on Tuesday, Oct. 24, at 3 p.m. at the Statesman Soccer Field.