Season Review: Men's Soccer Provides Foundation for Future

Signature Game: The Phantoms gave Ocean County College all it could handle on Saturday, Oct.4, in a hard-fought double-overtime battle, but the host Vikings escaped with a 2-1 victory. The Vikings entered the contest at 5-1 while averaging five goals per game in their first six games and DCCC took them down to the wire. "Ocean was the best team we played all season," first-year head coach Fatoma Turay added. "We played against one of the best team in the region, and we fought with them until the last kick of the game." … The Phantoms also played well in a 2-1 come-from-behind victory over visiting Montgomery County Community College on Sept. 30. Sidikie Konneh accounted for both goals on the day.

Season Notes: The Phantoms finished 3-8 overall in head coach Fatoma Turay's first year at the helm of the program …  Henry Gjergo, John Lenart, Willie Barsee-March, Tyler Smith, Morris Koroma, and Lennox Smith started all 11 games for the Phantoms … Gjergo led the team in goals (9) and points (19) while Lenart was the team leader in assists (3) … Two of Gjergo's goals on the season were game-winners … Gjergo ranked second nationally among all NJCAA Division III players in total shots (88) when the season ended … Lenart finished a perfect 2-for-2 on penalty kick attempts on the season … Eleven of the 16 field players on the roster tallied at least one point on the season … Turay identified Willie Barsee-March as someone who brought the same energy over the course of the season. "Johnny Lenart, Morris Koroma, Willie, Victor Bussab, and Jewel Myles-Arthur were our leaders on defense," he added. "Those guys played hurt all season after the first two games, but they definitely stood up to their tasks." … "Henry Gjergo, Sidikie Konneh, Johnny, and Tyler Smith were our leaders on offense," Turay continued. "They made us go forward as a team and were successful." … The 2021 edition of the Phantoms was a true study in diversity as the roster (including the coaches) hailed from seven different nations and three different states.

Awards

Region XIX DIVISION III - 2nd Team All Region: Henry Gjergo

All-EPAC: Henry Gjergo (First Team), John Lenart (First Team), Sidikie Konneh (First Team)

Looking Ahead: Turay appreciated the efforts of the squad over the course of the season. "As a group we did some things right, and could have done better on other things," commented Turay. "The boys fought until the end, which is a testament to their characters, despite all the obstacles we faced especially playing with 13 guys for most of the season."

Turay looks to continue to build the program into a perennial regional contender. "I want to recruit some talented players, with great character, to represent our school in a positive manner, and help lead this team to a championship level," the first-year coach declared.