OSTENDORP FINDS BACK OF THE NET IN NO. 1 HAWKS TRIUMPH OVER NO. 5 KNIGHTS

WESTFIELD, Ind. – The No. 1 Northeast Community College men's soccer team wrapped up their trip in Westfield, Indiana Sunday with a matchup against No. 5 CCBC Essex, a program who has made the semifinals of the national tournament in two of the last three years. The Hawks took the ranked contest by a final score of 1-0 to remain unbeaten on the young season.

Northeast (2-0) knew the challenge that would come against the Knights on short rest but were able to pull ahead 1-0 in the 18th-minute as Jochem Ostendorp (Doetinchem, Netherlands) punched in a goal with an assist from Len Valkema (Leewarden, Netherlands). The score proved to be all that was needed for the Hawks as goalkeeper Jayden Quemada (Peoria, Ariz.) secured his second clean sheet of the season in just his second start of his career at Northeast and the Hawks' defense stood strong on the back end to blank CCBC Essex through the 90 minutes of play.

In 2024, Northeast picked up nine victories over ranked opponents throughout the course of the year and have now begun 2025 with two more ranked wins at the completion of opening weekend. The Hawks will now take the week off before traveling to Hot Springs, Arkansas for a pair of contests on Saturday and Monday.

STAT SHEET AGAINST LAMAR:

Goal: Jochem Ostendorp (Doetinchem, Netherlands)

Assist: Len Valkema (Leewarden, Netherlands)

HEAR FROM THE HAWKS COACH:

Head Men's Soccer Coach Adam Potter on the victory and the weekend as a whole:

"Any time you can come into an environment that simulates a national tournament where there are 12-ranked teams and you are able to get two wins is absolutely massive," Potter said. "I was proud of how the guys collected themselves after our first performance, as our first game on Friday wasn't the prettiest. Guys were more vocal today and worked hard defensively to shut down the Essex attack."

Potter on what stood out to him today and what he is excited about next weekend:

"The guys executed well on the defensive side of the ball," Potter said. "Another clean sheet. I felt like we were potent defensively and hard to break. We found ways to get it done and we will keep pushing from here. I'm excited about next weekend and getting another opportunity to go into a new environment to face teams we haven't faced. We have another chance to show who we are and to continue to get better. We have to keep pushing forward from here, but really good stuff today."

UP NEXT:

The Hawks will head south for a battle against National Park College at 5 p.m. Saturday in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

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