Soccer: Kenwood Boys Secure Top Spot With Win at Dundalk

Kenwood High School's varsity boys soccer team is headed to the state playoffs with a 3-1 win at Dundalk on Wednesday. Here's the word from Kenwood athletic director Derek Maki:

Kenwood's varsity boys soccer squad improved to 9-2-1 in Baltimore County division play with a resounding 3-1 win at Dundalk. The Owls got on the board first with a nice header off of a freekick to from the left side of the Bluebirds' net; however, the boys in blue answered back almost right away with sophomore striker, Harman Kimaini, slotting a shot past the Dundalk keeper off of a perfectly played through ball from junior midfielder, Pat McGuire, Kimaini would score again, just a few minutes later, poking in a rebound off of a long, throw-in and Kenwood never looked back.

The second half started with the Essex school up, 2-1. Coaches Mizell and Maki stressed the importance of getting the next goal at halftime and the 'Birds didn't waste any time, with senior tri-captain, Troy Hagy, denting the Owls net with a rocket shot off a drop pass from sophomore striker, Billy Mudimba, just minutes into the half. Kenwood successfully absorbed sustained pressure from the Dundalk attack for much of the remainder of the half, with senior tri-captain, Jorge Rivera, expertly anchoring the back line, along with fellow seniors, Edgar Walker and Sean Stallings and junior, Boo Farley. Senior tri-captain goalkeeper, Johnny Thomas, preserved the Bluebirds victory with a stellar save, tipping an Owls header over the crossbar with one hand late in the game.

The 'Birds strong finish to the regular season will result in a spot near the top of their division standings and, possibly, a bye in the first round of the state playoffs. Kenwood closed it's best regular season under Mizell with four wins over the past two weeks, knocking off Patapsco (5-0), Loch Raven (2-1), and Franklin (1-0).