KINGSTON, NY – The night started slowly for both sides as the teams struggled to find a rhythm in the match. Back and forth action, along with some sloppy play in the first 30 minutes led to two separate yellow card incidents for New York Athletic Club’s Charlie Crane as he saw red in the 30’ minute.
After NYAC was sent to 10-men, Stockade FC began to find more joy in the attacking third creating numerous chances. Stockade FC was much more of a threat in the second half, registering 8 shots on goal and coming close on numerous occasions.
Ultimately, Stockade FC found their lead through Alejandro Riquelme after a scramble at the top of the box fell to Mikey Lanzetta who fed Riquelme into space for the finish to give Stockade FC a 1-0 lead in the 52’ minute. Stockade FC came close to doubling their lead on a number of occasions as Brady Van Epps, Paul Makaj and Michael Creswick all made impacts off the bench. “We built a deep team for these moments. Two big matches this weekend with a lot of different players contributing. The bench play a major role tonight,” said Stockade FC Technical Director Dan Hoffay.
The back line was solid all night for Stockade FC, allowing very few scoring opportunities for NYAC, who registered zero shots on goal.
“A good hard fought victory for our guys tonight. I thought we came out a little flat in the first half but we continued to fight and create better opportunities as the game went on,” said Stockade FC Head Coach Jamal Lis-Simmons. “Credit to NYAC, they went down a man late in the first half but continued to make it difficult for us at times. We were much more aggressive in the second half which lead to some great opportunities. We fought hard for the second goal, but one was enough tonight. Our defense held strong completing the shutout. Overall A good team win,” Lis-Simmons added.
XI: Monroe; Robinson, Markovic, Avila, Gracias; Koziol, Parada, Lanzetta; Zobre, Jaime, Riquelme
MOTM: Alejandro Riquelme- The Siena Men’s Soccer forward scored his first Stockade FC goal in Stockade FC’s 1-0 win over NYAC. Riquelme registered 3 shots on goal and was a force down the wing for the entire match, especially in the second half as Stockade FC controlled the attacking play against ten-men NYAC.
