Phantoms Strike First With 5-1 Win in Men’s Soccer Opener

Delaware & Chester Counties – From the whistle, the Delaware County Community College men's soccer team played fast and goal-focused to a 5-1 victory on September 5 at home against Atlantic Cape Community College and a 1-0-0 start to 2024.

Abdul Sheriff notched a hat trick in his debut, netting his first of three goals at the 7:30 mark, while fellow first-year attackers Michael Haley and Kofil Ohi also scored. Ohi, Tyrel Jacobs, and Dominic Quezada added assists, with a pair for Quezada. Goalkeeper Bryam Tierra was strong in net with nine saves, allowing only one late-game goal.

Despite a new season, with a new coach, and returning only three players from last year's roster, the Phantoms demonstrated promising cohesion and adaptability. That's not accidental.

"We worked well together and the team environment and culture we're trying to create showed," said Head Coach Andrew Flood. "We might have started a little messy, but then we looked like a team that wanted to change. Shout out to all of the guys for coming together so quickly even when things weren't going right." Previously Head Boys' Soccer Coach at Upper Darby High School and highly regarded in Delaware County as a coach and player, Flood immediately sparked DCCC soccer with his energy and expertise.

Proud of the team's game-one effort, he looks to keep building. "That win was a nice taste and got them hungry for more to come," said Flood. "Abdul gave us a lot of our offensive opportunities. And in the back, Diyor [Hakberdiyev] really played up and beyond what was expected."

Next, the team will be thrice tested on the road at Montgomery County Community College (Sept 10), Lehigh Carbon Community College (Sept 12) and Northampton (Sept 14). "Our focus will be on making sure that the team gets more comfortable in our form and the way everyone plays together as well as building trust among teammates," Flood said.

The Phantoms will be back at home on September 17, taking on Bucks County Community College at 4:00pm at the DCCC Marple Campus Soccer Field, 901 Media Line Rd, Media, PA