By Steven M. Glassman
Director of Sports Information
October 15, 2018
JENKINTOWN, PA—Tuesday, October 16 will be the final regular season match for six Manor College (7-5-1 Overall, 0-4 Region XIX Division I) sophomore men's soccer players, as the Blue Jays host the NJCAA Division I 17th-Ranked Essex County College Wolverines (9-1-0, 4-0-0) at 4:00 p.m.
The six sophomores are as follows: midfielder Ibrahim Abdelghani (Philadelphia, PA/Kensington), defenseman Bill Freeman (Philadelphia, PA/Academy Park), defenseman/midfielder Moussa Kanate (Philadelphia, PA/Fels), defenseman Mason Maglio (Huntingdon Valley, PA/Upper Moreland), defenseman Turrell Gordon (Philadelphia, PA/Olney), and midfielder Nicholas Martinez (Philadelphia, PA/Father Judge).
Abdelghani has played in 12 matches this season, contributing a goal (his first collegiate) and assist (both versus USCAA and PSUAC member Pennsylvania State-Lehigh Valley on September 15). He played in 18 games (17 starts) in 2017, and had three assists. In his Manor career, Abdelghani has played in 30 games and started 23. Dempster on Abdelghani: "Ibra turned out to be a reliable soccer player. He went in when asked and did the job that was asked of him. He has improved on all parts of his game and even scored his first career college goal."
Freeman started and played in all 13 matches this season (contributing an assist versus Middlesex County on September 11) and all 17 matches in 2017. Altogether, Freeman has played and started in 30 matches in his Manor career. Dempster on Freeman: "Bill's ability to shut down the opposing teams' forwards will be missed. His athleticism and raw talent will help him to succeed at the next level."
Kanate has played in 12 matches this season, including his first collegiate appearance as a goalkeeper at Harrisburg Area Community College on October 13. He appeared in 16 matches in 2017. Altogether, Kanate has played in 28 career matches for the Blue Jays. Dempster on Kanate: "This young man continues to impress me every day. I loved coaching him, and, his next coach will feel the same way. Moussa's smile and great attitude landed him in a vital role this year. He can play any position, and, play it with tenacity and guts! 'Moose' also continues to do well in the classroom with over a 3.0 [GPA] every semester."
Maglio has played in all 13 matches (11 starts) this season with an assist versus Harrisburg Area Community College on October 13. Maglio appeared in all 17 matches (11 starts) in 2017 contributing a goal and assist. He scored his first collegiate goal (on first collegiate shot) in his debut at Region XX Division I Cecil College on August 30, 2017. He added an assist versus Division III Middlesex County College on September 7, 2017. Altogether has played in 30 matches for the Blue Jays (22 starts). Dempster on Maglio: "My most reliable player on and off the field, and, maybe my most humble. If I ever needed to gather the group, I would contact Mason. His honesty and toughness will be missed by all. He played almost every minute of every game this year and played well. Mason's game has nothing but upside and will be a welcomed addition to any team."
Gordon has played in six matches for Manor this season and two in 2017. Dempster on Gordon: "He had a will to improve from last year to this season and Turrell did just that. Due to his hard work on the field this year, he received playing time and contributed."
Martinez has played in matches (10 starts) for the Blue Jays this season. He is among team leaders with 12 shots on goal and 20 overall shots. Martinez scored goals this season versus Region XX Division I Cecil College (August 26) and at Middlesex County College (September 11). He played and started in 17 games in 2017, leading the team with nine assists and second with 45 overall shots. Martinez was third on the Blue Jays in goals (five), points (19), and shots on goal (19). He scored two goals and contributed an assist versus Williamson College of the Trades on October 9, 2017. Martinez contributed two assists versus Harrisburg Area Community College on October 12, 2017. He had at least one shot in 15 of the 17 matches played in 2017. Martinez had four-multi-point games in 2017. He played 28 career games (27 starts), with seven goals, nine assists, 23 points, 31 shots on goal, and 65 overall shots for Manor.
Manor clinched its first postseason tournament berth as a Division I team this season and its first since 2013 when they shut out Harrisburg Area Community College, 8-0, on October 13 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Opponent, date, time, and location are to be announced.