MLax: CCBC Essex Prepares For National Title Run

CCBC Essex coach Shawn Burke said he tried to prepare his team for every possible scenario during the regular season in hopes of leading the Knights to the program’s first NJCAA national title since 2004.

This included playing as many nationally-ranked teams as possible and playing back-to-back road games. Burke hopes all of that preparation will pay off this weekend as No. 3 CCBC Essex (15-2) plays host- and second-seeded Nassau Community College (14-3) in an NJCAA national semifinal game at 3:30 p.m. Saturday in New York.

The winners of that game will face the winner top-seeded Onondaga Community College (17-0) and fourth-ranked Geneese Community College (15-3) at 1 p.m. Sunday in the national title game. Onondaga has defeated CCBC Essex in the last two championship contests.

All of the games this weekend can be viewed live online here.

“We just try to learn from every game —win or loss— and try to get better because of it,” Burke said.

Burke said he believes CCBC Essex took a lot away from its 12-8 loss to Nassau when the latter traveled to Maryland on March 24. He added that he expects another low-scoring affair much like last year’s national semifinals when CCBC Essex held off Nassau, 6-5, after the Knights lost in the regular-season meeting.

“Every possession is going to be critical,” Burke said. “Faceoffs are key as will be clearing the ball and getting groundballs. Each mistake will be costly because Nassau is very patient on offense and there will just be fewer possessions in the game.”

CCBC Essex sophomore midfielder Brent Hiken (Pikesville) is aware of that as he was on the Knights last season. He said he wants his team to set the pace in this game and not let Nassau—owners of a record 21 national titles—control the game’s tempo.

“If we get up a few scores early, then Nassau won’t be able to set the pace,” Hiken said. “I’ve waited for this weekend ever since we lost last season to Onondaga.”

CCBC Essex sophomore defender Trey Cover (Fallston) said the Knights are prepared to make a run at a national title.

“We’ve learned a lot this season,” Cover said. “This is what we’ve been working all year for and anything less than a national title would be a disappointment.”