The Bronx Community College men's soccer team opened its 2026 season with a thrilling 4-4 draw against LaGuardia Community College on Saturday at Ohio Field.
The Broncos overcame two separate one-goal deficits and briefly took a 4-3 lead in the second half before LaGuardia answered with the equalizer in the 74th minute. LaGuardia moved to 0-0-2 on the season, while Bronx opened its campaign with a 0-0-1 mark.
The match got off to a difficult start for Bronx when starting goalkeeper Joshua Sanchez left the contest with an injury in the 10th minute. Sanchez played 9:51 and recorded three saves and allowing a goal before being replaced by Ramon Caldera, who went on to play the remainder of the match, making five saves.
LaGuardia struck first in the ninth minute when Aliou N'Diaye scored at 8:53 off an assist from Alpha Barry to give the Red Hawks a 1-0 advantage. Bronx quickly responded, however, with David Santa converting a penalty kick at 11:27 to even the match at 1-1.
The Red Hawks regained the lead in the 18th minute when Khalifa Ba headed home a pass from Sulemn Camara, sending LaGuardia into halftime with a 2-1 advantage.
Bronx came out aggressively in the second half and drew even at 49:27. Yusif Razakou found the back of the net on an assist from Victor Mejia, making it 2-2. LaGuardia answered less than six minutes later, as Ba scored his second goal of the afternoon on a header assisted by Smatt Konditamde to put the Red Hawks back in front, 3-2.
The Broncos refused to go quietly. Leiver Palacio scored in the 68th minute, with Santa providing the assist, to tie the match at 3-3. Just over four minutes later, Omar Sillah gave Bronx its first lead of the afternoon when he scored an unassisted goal at 71:44, putting the Broncos ahead 4-3.
LaGuardia responded almost immediately. Sulemn Camara scored at 73:25 off an assist from Tyler Gowie, bringing the Red Hawks level at 4-4. Neither squad was able to register a potential match-winning goal during the final 16-plus minutes, as the CUNY clash finalized in a deadlock.
The offensive production was spread throughout the Bronx lineup in the season opener. Santa finished with a goal and an assist, while Razakou, Palacio and Sillah each added a goal. Victor Mejia and Santa each recorded an assist in addition to Santa's scoring contribution.
Despite LaGuardia holding a significant advantage in shots, 24-9, Bronx made the most of its opportunities. The Broncos put seven of their nine shots on target, while Caldera and Sanchez combined for eight saves. Bronx also earned six corner kicks to LaGuardia's five.
LaGuardia received goals from N'Diaye, Camara and Ba, with Ba scoring twice. Camara also added an assist, while Barry, Konditamde and Gowie each contributed an assist.
The match featured a frenetic second half in which five goals were scored, including three in a span of less than six minutes as Bronx erased a 3-2 deficit, moved ahead 4-3 and then saw LaGuardia equalize.
The Broncos will look to earn their first victory of the season Tuesday against Borough of Manhattan Community College at Ohio Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.
