Eastern Shore Community College’s newly formed soccer team is gaining traction as it works toward becoming a full-fledged collegiate program.
ESCC Football Club, launched in spring 2024, completed its first competitive fall season by competing in an adult league in Westover, Maryland, marking a significant milestone for the growing program. The club was created to give ESCC students an opportunity to continue their soccer careers while the college builds toward a formal intercollegiate offering.
During the fall season, ESCC-FC competed in the Somerset County Parks and Recreation Adult League, facing a mix of community college clubs and teams of comparable skill levels. The team advanced to the playoffs in November before being eliminated in the first round.
The club’s home field is Randy Custis Memorial Park, where ESCC has partnered with the Shore Soccer League. New lighting is currently being installed at the facility, a move expected to support evening matches and accommodate future tournaments as the program expands.
As the college looks ahead to the spring 2026 semester, additional opportunities are planned for students interested in joining the team, including expanded practices and competitive play.
The program is led by Coach Chase Baxa, a Northampton High School teacher and accomplished soccer coach. Baxa played collegiately at Geneva College and has guided the Northampton High School boys soccer team to state championships in 2023 and 2025. He has been named Virginia Class 1 Coach of the Year for three consecutive years — 2023, 2024, and 2025 — and currently serves as academy director for Rush Academy Peninsula, formerly known as Shore FC.
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