REVERE, MA— Stockade FC’s club-record 11-game unbeaten streak came to an end in Revere, MA on Sunday evening at the hands of Boston City FC. With the end of the streak, also came the end of Stockade FC’s NPSL playoff hopes.
Boston City FC opened the scoring in the 16th minute of play as a quick free kick was taken, leading to a breakout and a William Balanta finish past Jared Mazzola.
Stockade FC controlled the pace of play and possession throughout the entirety of the match, but Boston City was able to capitalize on their few chances, especially early. In the 26th minute, cries for offsides were ignored by the center official as Willian Bonoro was able to double the lead for the hosts.
In the second half, Stockade FC came out swinging. Just 4 minutes into the second stanza, Dylan Williams was taken down inside the box and Afonso Pinheiro stepped up to cut the deficit to 2-1.
The barrage of Stockade FC attacking carried on until Afonso Pinheiro finally found the equalizer in the 76th minute of play after Justin Jaime flashed a header back across the box for Pinheiro to push home.
Stockade FC continued to push numbers forward in search of the crucial 3 points in the playoff push. With energy focused on the attacking end, two late Boston City FC penalties would ultimately push the host out of reach and end the Stockade FC comeback attempt.
Stockade FC will end the regular season next Saturday, July 6 as the club travels to Long Island for a match-up with the unbeaten New York Cosmos.
STARTING XI: Mazzola; Robinson, Avila, Markovic, Zobre; Koziol, Makaj, Williams; Van Epps, Jaime,
MAN OF THE MATCH – Afonso Pinheiro #7. The Stockade FC forward collected a second half brace to level the score at 2-2 before two late Boston City penalties would undo the comeback.
