Urbana Boys Soccer Beats Tuscarora 2–0 for Second Straight CMC Title
First-half goals from Mateo Cornejo and Joel Asare lift the senior-heavy Hawks as they turn their attention to the state playoffs.
HERE'S WHAT WE KNOW
Urbana beat Tuscarora 2–0 for its second straight CMC Large School boys soccer title. Cornejo and Asare scored in the first half. The Hawks improved to 12–1–1 and have won eight straight. Urbana’s roster includes 18 seniors, and the team enters the 4A West Section I playoffs as the top seed.
Urbana’s boys soccer team opened its postseason with a championship Monday night, defeating host Tuscarora 2–0 to claim a second consecutive Central Maryland Conference Large School title.
The Hawks improved to 12–1–1 with their eighth straight victory, according to The Frederick News-Post. A roster featuring 18 seniors now hopes to carry that momentum into a run at the school’s third boys soccer state championship and its first since 2016.
The teams had played to a 1–1 draw at Tuscarora on Sept. 24. In the rematch, Urbana took control early.
Less than five minutes into the game, senior midfielder Bryce Kenst sent a pass across the goal box, where senior striker Mateo Cornejo redirected it into the net.
Urbana’s second goal came on a counterattack after a Tuscarora chance. Josh Ogbummor delivered a pass toward the far post, and senior striker Joel Asare reached it and finished with 13:59 remaining in the first half.
Asare received a yellow card after breaking a corner flag during his celebration. The game included five yellow cards as the teams contested the conference final.
Tuscarora created opportunities but could not beat senior goalkeeper Ben McCarron. Urbana had allowed only five goals all season through the championship game.
The Titans played the final 33 minutes with 10 players after a second yellow card led to a player’s removal. Coach Todd Knepper credited his team for keeping Urbana scoreless during that stretch, while acknowledging the Hawks’ experience and stronger performance on the night.
Tuscarora finished the game at 8–4–3. Knepper noted that his lineup included four sophomores and a freshman, in contrast with Urbana’s large senior class.
Hawks coach Scott Schartner described the conference final as valuable preparation for the next stage of the postseason. Cornejo emphasized the years of work the seniors had put in together, while Asare expressed confidence in the team’s ability to contend for a state title.
Urbana enters the Class 4A West Section I playoffs as the top seed. The supplied report lists a Friday regional semifinal against the winner of Northwestern and Seneca Valley.
Tuscarora is the No. 2 seed in its Class 3A West playoff field and has a quarterfinal bye.
For Urbana, the conference trophy is already secured. The state championship remains the goal ahead.
WHAT IT MEANS
The win gives Urbana a conference championship and momentum heading into the state playoffs. Its experience and defensive record support its ambitions, but the CMC title is separate from the state championship the Hawks still hope to win.
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