WASHINGTON, D.C. — Howard dominated Virginia St. on Wednesday night, cruising to a 4-1 victory behind a relentless attacking display. The Bison controlled the match from start to finish, outshooting the visiting Trojans 25-4 while generating 12 corner kicks. The win snapped Howard's recent struggles and marked a statement performance for a team looking to build momentum down the stretch.
Nigel McCloud emerged as the offensive catalyst for Howard, scoring twice in the first half to put the match out of reach early. McCloud's first goal came in the 43rd minute, followed by another in the 45th minute with an assist from Onarae Rice. Daniil Kaban added a third goal in the 13th minute, assisted by Justin Mims and Marshall Lloyd, giving Howard a commanding 3-0 lead before halftime. Virginia St. managed just one response through Diddier Rochez in the 49th minute, but it proved too little too late.
Howard's first-half dominance set the tone for the entire contest. The Bison peppered Virginia St.'s defense with shot after shot, forcing the Trojans' goalkeeper into constant action. McCloud's early finishing was clinical—he found the back of the net twice within three minutes to essentially decide the match before intermission. Virginia St. struggled to generate any meaningful offensive rhythm, managing only three shots on goal for the entire match.
The second half saw Howard maintain control despite Virginia St.'s brief moment of hope with Rochez's goal. McCloud struck again in the 54th minute to extend Howard's advantage to 4-1, effectively putting the contest beyond doubt. From that point forward, the Bison managed the game comfortably, content to maintain possession and limit Virginia St.'s opportunities. The Trojans' defense was overwhelmed by Howard's constant pressure and movement in the attacking third.
Virginia St. received yellow cards to Diddier Rochez, Ibrahim Diabagate, and Shawn Anthony throughout the match, reflecting the frustration that mounted as the deficit grew. The Trojans' inability to match Howard's intensity was evident in the possession battle and shot differential. Despite the lopsided statistics, Virginia St. goalkeeper made seven saves to keep the margin from becoming even more embarrassing.
McCloud's two-goal performance highlighted Howard's attacking depth. The forward's movement and finishing were sharp, and he created problems for Virginia St.'s backline all evening. Kaban's early goal set the aggressive tone, while Rice's assist showed the Bison's ability to create chances through combination play. Howard's corner kick dominance—12 to Virginia St.'s 2—underscored their territorial superiority.
The victory improves Howard to 5-10-1 on the season and provides a confidence boost heading into the final stretch. After dropping a road match to LIU last week, the Bison responded with authority against a struggling Virginia St. squad that fell to 1-8-3. Howard's next test comes Sunday against Stonehill, while Virginia St. travels to face Barton on Saturday.
For Howard, this dominant performance suggests the team is finding its rhythm at a critical juncture. For Virginia St., the loss extends a difficult season marked by inconsistency and an inability to compete with stronger opponents. The Trojans' recent stretch of draws against Shaw and Mount Olive offered hope, but Wednesday's result served as a harsh reminder of the gap between the elite programs and the rest of the field.