Patrick Alvarez controls the ball in front of a crowded Dietz Stadium. (Photo by Kashka Glowacka)
By Randy Kim, Kingston Stockade FC General Manager
KINGSTON, N.Y. -- Despite it being early days in their inaugural campaign, the wins, as well as the home fans, keep rolling in for Kingston Stockade FC.
Playing before another packed Dietz Stadium (843 fans), Stockade FC rolled to a 3-0 win over New York Athletic Club on Sunday. The win was the third in the row for the Kingston club and now places them in third place with a 3-1-1 record (wins-draws-losses) in the NPSL's Atlantic Conference, only trailing Brooklyn Italians on goal differential. [Watch: Full-match replay]
Kicking off under an unusually strong May sun, a cool Stockade side applied the pressure early on, pushing high up the pitch and controlling play in the midfield. The club ultimately broke through in the 8th minute with a class finish from the left side by Michael Creswick, beating the NYAC keeper to the far post. The goal was Creswick's third of the year, but he wasn't done for the day just yet.
Creswick -- a skilled forward who hails from Newcastle, England -- later put his boot through the ball for a second goal on the day. The two goals give Creswick four goals in five matches total, and he also becomes the first player in Stockade history to bag a brace (score two goals in a single match).
Stockade wasn't done for the day, however. Later in the second half, Matel Anasta scored off of a wonderful left-footed side volley that floated beautifully into the upper corner for a third goal on the day. The buildup on the goal was emblematic of the selfless team spirit Stockade has shown all year; striker Corey Phillips showed great pace and skill in gathering the ball on the wing before finding Nick vonEgypt trailing just behind, who sent in a lovely cross to Creswick. Rather than make an attempt on a hat-trick from a tough angle, however, Creswick opted for the unselfish assist, heading it back towards the open Anasta, whose high-flying reflex finish certainly will go down as one of the best goals of the Stockade season. [Watch: Anasta goal]
On the day, the stellar play up front was bolstered by the pinpoint passing and tireless tracking of Matt Koziol and Dylan Williams in the middle of the pitch. And as is quickly becoming the norm, the back four of Juan Gatti, Phil Barrett, Jamal Lis-Simmons and Tommy Steigerwald showed itself to be stingy, rock-solid and resolute.
Not to be outdone, goalkeeper Stephen Skonieczny notched his third straight shutout in a row, though he was capably assisted by the second-half introduction of reserve goalkeeper David Giddings.
Stockade's next match is away at Rhode Island Reds on Friday, June 3 at 7 p.m. ET. This is followed by a home match against Boston City FC on Sunday, June 5 at 5 p.m. ET.