There are first games. And then there are first-ever games.
On Saturday, August 29, 2026, Community College of Beaver County’s inaugural men’s soccer team stepped onto Wright Field at Veterans Park in Chippewa Township, officially making history as CCBC’s first men’s soccer team. After more than two years of planning, preparation, and hard work, the moment had finally arrived.
“It’s taken a lot of work to get to this point,” said CCBC Athletic Director Tyler Care. “It’s been years in the making and took a lot of help from a lot of people.”
The significance of the moment didn’t escape the players.
“We’re really excited and thankful for the coach and everyone here,” said midfielder Kevin Angel, one of the Titans’ inaugural players.
And then, just minutes into the game, CCBC made history again.
The First Goal
With the Titans facing the College of Southern Maryland Hawks, Hexon Nunez became the first player in CCBC men’s soccer history to score a goal.
At halftime, Nunez reflected on the moment.
“I feel really excited. I feel really honored to be the first goal scorer in the history of CCBC,” he said.
The Titans entered the second half with a 1-1 score and a chance to claim the College’s first-ever victory. Although the Titans couldn’t secure the win, they battled through the remainder of the match to hold onto the tie.
When the final whistle blew, the inaugural game ended 1-1.
For first-year Head Coach Marcus Burrows, the result was a positive start, especially considering what it took to get the team to the field.
“They’re playing their first game, and [Southern Maryland] has their fifth game of the season,” Burrows said. “Literally getting everybody together for the first game was huge.”
The Hawks also brought a physical style of play, making the Titans’ performance even more impressive.
“I’m happy with the point,” Burrows said.
Building Something From the Ground Up
The inaugural season represents more than a new team on CCBC’s athletic schedule. It represents a new opportunity for students and the chance to be part of something that has never existed before. That opportunity was one of the things that made the moment so exciting for Tyler Care.
“Not everybody gets to be a member of the first-ever of something,” he said.
Getting to this point required plenty of commitment from the players. The team practiced as early as 6 a.m. and traveled to Chippewa for practices and games, all while balancing college coursework and everything else that comes with being a student.
Many of the players are local, allowing the team to represent not only CCBC, but the communities surrounding it.
“They’re very dedicated and eager to play,” Care said.
For Burrows, the experience has been equally meaningful.
“I’m really proud to be coach to these guys,” he said. “We’ve got a great group of guys together.”
Burrows joined CCBC in the spring and has spent months building the foundation of the program. After roughly four weeks of practice, the Titans finally had the opportunity to put that work to the test.
“It’s been a great ride since then,” Burrows said. “Great bunch of guys. I love working with them.”
And This Is Just the Beginning
A tie may be what goes into the record book for CCBC’s first men’s soccer game, but the significance of the day goes far beyond the final score. There was the first kickoff. The first goal. The first celebration. The first time the Titans took the field together. And the first chapter of a program that CCBC hopes will continue to grow for years to come.
The Titans now turn their attention to the rest of the season, with plenty to build on from their historic debut. Burrows plans to focus on ball movement through the midfield and creating more opportunities through the wings, areas that produced some of the team’s best chances in the opener.
“We created chances. We created problems for them,” Burrows said. “But we didn’t do it enough.”
The first game is in the books. Now, the season begins.
Follow the Titans throughout their inaugural season and check ccbctitans.com for upcoming games.
Go Titans!
