In a thrilling showdown at CCBC Catonsville on October 25, 2025, the Howard High School boys soccer team overcame a first-half deficit to secure a 2-1 victory against Catonsville in the Class 3A North Region II semifinals. This win propels Howard into the regional final against Centennial next week.
The match saw Howard rally with two goals in quick succession during the second half. Just under 28 minutes remaining, forward Eben Koffi converted a penalty kick that had initially been saved by Catonsville goalkeeper Stanley Simonsen, but the ball eventually crossed the goal line. Koffi expressed his confidence in taking the penalty, stating, “I knew I wanted to take it… I saw it go over [the line].”
Following his goal, Koffi shifted to a defensive role, bolstering Howard’s backline as they stifled Catonsville’s offensive efforts. The Comets had previously outshot the Lions 10-4 in the first half but were unable to secure any shots in the final moments of the game.
Catonsville had taken the lead early in the second half when Tony Argueta scored from the penalty spot after his cousin, Chris Argueta, drew a foul in the box. This goal came shortly after Howard’s Matt Carlson exited the game due to an ankle injury, a loss that Catonsville coach Brendan Kennedy described as significant. “Losing Matt was huge,” Kennedy remarked.
Just ten seconds after Carlson’s departure, Howard’s Zayden Greivis equalized by rebounding his own missed shot, demonstrating the Lions’ resilience and ability to capitalize on opportunities. Koffi noted the importance of seizing such moments: “You’ve got to take advantage of little opportunities like those because you never know when you are going to get another one.”
Both teams had their share of chances throughout the match. Catonsville, boasting a record of 9-3-1, had several opportunities in the first half, including a close call when Dom Brown’s shot went wide and another shot from Tony Argueta that was saved off the goal line by Howard’s Daniel Ukono. Howard nearly broke the deadlock with a point-blank strike from Ishan Shah, which was also denied by Simonsen.
The second half was marked by a shift in momentum, with Howard responding strongly after conceding the initial goal. Coach Nils Schroder praised his team’s character, stating, “I’ve never been more proud of them… the way they reacted, I saw Eben go literally start talking to his teammates and say ‘We got this.’”
With this victory, Howard extended its non-losing streak to six matches and has now won four in a row. The team has adjusted its tactics to minimize goals against while remaining a threat in attack. “We started figuring that out a couple of weeks ago and we’ve been on a nice little run since,” Schroder added.
Catonsville’s recent form included nine wins and one draw in their last ten games, a run that included a win against Hereford in the Baltimore County championship. Despite the loss, Kennedy reflected positively on the season, acknowledging the competitive nature of the playoffs: “In postseason, anything can happen.”
As the teams prepare for the upcoming matches, Howard looks to maintain its momentum while Catonsville aims to regroup after a strong season. The regional final promises to be an exciting encounter as Howard takes on Centennial, seeking to continue their successful campaign.
