Kingston Stockade FC Falls, 3-2, to Seacoast United Phantoms

View fullsize

Stockade's starting XI against Seacoast United Phantoms. (Credit: Dan Hoffay)

By Randy Kim, Kingston Stockade FC General Manager (Match details provided by Dan Hoffay)

AMESBURY, Mass. -- Kingston Stockade FC wasn't able to cap off a two-match New England road-trip in the way they had hoped. After managing a draw on Saturday in Maine, Stockade FC fell to Seacoast United Phantoms, 3-2, on Sunday afternoon.

Phantoms scored twice in the first half, in the fifth and 37th minutes. Conditions were windy, and Stockade admittedly found it tough to find a rhythm in the match.

The second half saw things change, however, after Phantoms' Richard Simmons was given a red card for a high tackle on Dylan Williams. From there, Stockade had a solid run of play, with Williams, Eric Fortier and Matt Koziol capably controlling play in the midfield.

This led to a first Stockade goal in the 77th minute, with Fortier scoring his second of the season.

Phantoms countered, however, in the 82nd minute, with Stockade pressing high the backline was beaten by a through ball that was quickly converted.

Stockade did add another goal in the 85th minute, with Aldo Tropeano finding the back of the net for the first time this season.

The loss leaves Stockade FC with a 3-2-4 record on the season (wins-draws-losses). Kingston takes the pitch again on Saturday, June 18 (2 p.m. ET) at home against New York Cosmos B.

Kingston Stockade FC Draws Away, 1-1, at Seacoast United Mariners

Stockade FC's starting XI in Maine on Saturday. (Credit: Dan Hoffay)

By Randy Kim, Kingston Stockade FC GM (match analysis provided by Dan Hoffay)

GORHAM, MAINE -- Earning points on the road is one way to stay in the upper reaches of the table. And while it wasn't a win, at least Stockade was able to take something away from their road match in Maine on Saturday.

Kingston Stockade FC managed a 1-1 away draw against Seacoast United Mariners on Saturday. The match was the first of two away matches for Stockade this weekend.

Subbed on at halftime, Eric Fortier opened the scoring for Stockade in the 74th minute, heading the ball into the back of the net off of a Kingston corner kick. The goal was the first of the season for the 24-year-old from Pleasant Valley, N.Y.

Fortier combined with Dylan Williams and Matt Koziol to control play in the midfield for most of the second half. Fortier came on at the break, along with Joe Bogart and Jeff Paine, all of whom went a long way in changing the complexion of the game.

Darren Gomez and Tommy Steigerwald also deserve plaudits for their work done at outside back, making numerous enterprising runs forward to keep the pressure on the home side.

Mariners equalized in the 84th minute, when the Stockade defense was penetrated by a dangerous through ball. Seacoast then played the ball into the middle, and Wilson MacMillan was able to pass it into the net to level the match.

Stockade goalkeeper Stephen Skonieczny ensured that the visitors were able to escape with a point on the day with a sterling save in the 72nd minute, knocking a dangerous rebound off the post away and out of danger.

Kingston visits Seacoast United Phantoms on Sunday, taking the pitch in Amesbury, Mass. at 4 p.m. ET.

Stockade FC's next home match is Saturday, June 18 at 2 p.m. ET against New York Cosmos B.

Kingston Stockade FC Starting XI: Skonieczny; Gomez, Lis-Simmons, Barrett, Steigerwald; Koziol; Anasta, Williams, vonEgypt; Creswick, Phillips

Kingston Stockade FC Suffers First-Ever Home Loss, 3-2, to Boston City FC

Juan Gatti plays through the extremely wet conditions at Dietz Stadium. (Photo by Roy Gumpel)

By Randy Kim, Kingston Stockade FC General Manager

KINGSTON, N.Y. -- All good things must end, or so the saying goes. And such was the case with Kingston Stockade FC's home winning streak to open the season, and history of the club.

After opening the 2016 campaign with three straight home wins, Stockade FC fell to Boston City FC, 3-2, on Sunday at Dietz Stadium.

Stockade opened the match positively, getting a goal in the 15th minute from new starter Matt Daum. The goal was the second of the season for the 32-year-old from New Paltz, N.Y.

Highlights of Stockade FC vs. Boston City FC at Dietz Stadium in Kingston, N.Y. Stockade FC plays in the Atlantic Division of the NPSL.

Boston was relatively quick to respond, however, scoring a goal in the 24th minute courtesy of Samuel Batista.

Play continued evenly for the next 35 minutes, until the match was paused due to lightning. And lots of rain.

After about 45 minutes, play resumed with the score 1-1. Stockade then found it within themselves to take the lead, thanks to a precisely floated volleyed chip from the boot of Corey Phillips in the 69th minute. The goal was also the second of the season for the 28-year-old from Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

The tenor of the match then changed with the introduction of Yaw Addow for Boston. The Ghanaian forward's speed and strength proved tough for the Stockade defense to handle. Addow headed in a goal in the 77th minute.

Addow's aggressive runs proved problematic for Kingston, stretching the home defense until Michael Bustamante gave Boston the lead in the 90th minute.

Stockade pushed hard in the closing moments, threatening once or twice, but ultimately the City rearguard proved strong enough to hold off any threats, giving the visitors a 3-2 win on the day.

The loss was the first suffered by Stockade FC at Dietz Stadium, and leaves them with a 3-1-3 record (wins-draws-losses), good enough for a three-way tie for second place in the NPSL's Northeast: Atlantic Conference.

Kingston now has two away matches this weekend, Saturday, June 11 at Seacoast United Mariners (1 p.m. ET) and Sunday, June 12 at Seacoast United Phantoms (4 p.m. ET). Stockade's next home match is Saturday, June 18 (2 p.m. ET) against New York Cosmos B.

Stockade Starting XI v Boston City FC: Skonieczny; Gatti, Barrett, Lis-Simmons (C), Steigerwald; Koziol; Anasta, Creswick, Williams; Phillips, Daum

Kingston Stockade FC Forward Michael Creswick Named NPSL Mitre Player of the Week

Creswick walks off the pitch at Lowell United FC with a handshake from Goalkeeping Coach Chuck Wilder.

KINGSTON, N.Y. (June 4, 2016) -- Kingston Stockade FC has met with success as a team in their first season. So it would only make sense that some of the individual players earn some honors as well.

In big news for Kingston, the National Premier Soccer League ("NPSL") announced on Friday that Stockade FC forward Michael Creswick was named the NPSL Mitre Player of the Week.

@StockadeFC forward @mcreswick28 has been selected as the ninth @MitreUSA National Player of the Week for the 2016 NPSL season.

— NPSL (@NPSLSoccer) June 3, 2016

Creswick earned the honor after scoring two goals and had an assist in Stockade's 3-0 win over New York Athletic Club on Sunday, May 30. Overall, Creswick has four goals and two assists in six matches this season.

Creswick hails from Newcastle, England and came to the U.S. in 2015. The 27-year-old forward has played for Sunbury United and Heaton Stannington in England, as well as the esteemed Newcastle United Academy.

Follow Michael Creswick on Twitter at @mcreswick28.

Kingston Stockade FC Falls to Rhode Island Reds on Road

The home fans brought out the flares during Friday night's match in Rhode Island.

By Randy Kim, Kingston Stockade FC General Manager

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Despite their home successes, Kingston Stockade FC are still searching for full glory away from Dietz Stadium.

Playing in front of some spirited home fans (see flare photo above), Stockade FC lost on the road to Rhode Island Reds, 2-1, on Friday night.

After an evenly balanced first half, Rhode Island went up 2-0 in the second half, with goals in the 55th and 74th minute.

Stockade FC found some fightback late in the match, however, when Dylan Williams drove home his first goal of the season in the 88th minute. Based on his impressive body of work over the course of the season, the goal was well deserved for the skillful midfielder.

Williams' goal came off an assist from Michael Creswick, who was recently named NPSL Player of the Week.

The loss drops Stockade to 3-1-2 (wins-draws-losses) on the season. All three wins have come at home, while the club remains winless away from Kingston.

Stockade's next match is Sunday, June 5 at home against Boston City FC at 5 p.m. ET.

Kingston Stockade FC Starting 11: Skonieczny; Gatti, Barrett, Lis-Simmons, Steigerwald; Koziol; Anasta, Williams, vonEgypt; Phillips, Creswick

Kingston Stockade FC Win Third Straight Match With 3-0 Win Over New York Athletic Club

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.

Kingston Stockade FC Wins Twice in Historic Home-Opening Weekend

By Randy Kim, Kingston Stockade FC General Manager

KINGSTON, N.Y. -- For Kingston Stockade FC's home-opening weekend, the size of the historic occasion was only met by the atmosphere at the grounds. And the play on the pitch.

Taking the field at Dietz Stadium in Kingston for the first time in club history, Stockade managed two well-earned wins on back-to-back days against Rhode Island Reds -- 1-0 on Saturday -- and Greater Lowell United FC -- 3-0 on Sunday.

Just as impressive as the results were the attendances for both matches. Each match brought in over 850 fans, with Sunday's draw technically outdoing Saturday by two extra tickets sold (854 to 852).

The victory over the Reds was the first win in club history. The impressively lively atmosphere was established well before the first ball was kicked, thanks to the amazing drumming of POOK (the Percussion Orchestra of Kingston), followed up by Kingston mayor Steve Noble saying a few words to the home fans before taking the ball out to the center circle for kickoff with his son. [Watch: POOK hypes the home fans]

The day's focus turned to soccer from there. And the Kingston boys did not disappoint.

With Matt Koizol and Dylan Williams controlling play in the midfield, and defenders Jamal Lis-Simmons and Juan Gatti capably patrolling the back, Stockade was on the front foot for much of the day against a game Reds side.

Stockade threatened numerous times through the first hour-plus of play, but couldn't push through. Until coach George Vizvary decided to bring on forward Matt Daum, that is.

Gathering a corner kick from Koziol, Daum headed in the first home goal in Stockade history in the 72nd minute. The Rhode Island goalkeeper made a decent play on the ball, but only saved it after the ball had crossed the goal line.

The Reds had a player sent off for dissent after that, and while Rhode Island had one or two chances to equalize, nothing came of it, and Stockade rode a solid defensive display to a first home win in club history. [Watch: Saturday video recap]

If Saturday was about frustration for the home side in front of net, Sunday was all about finishing with flair and elan.

Koziol got things started early for Stockade, putting in a lovely free kick from about 25 yards out. Precisely placed in the upper 90 at the near post, the Lowell sticksman was helpless to stop the central midfielder's goal in the fifth minute. [Watch: Koziol goal]

Michael Creswick then scored his second goal of the season in the eighth minute, using an overhead flick to beat a defender before a precise finish that put Stockade up 2-0 early on.

Not to be outdone, powerhouse striker Corey Phillips then buried a fine strike in the roof of the net, giving Stockade a 3-0 lead in the 23rd minute that would hold for the remainder of the day. [Watch: Phillips goal]

Besides the goal-scorers, Willliams was again a maestro in the middle, and Lis-Simmons an anchor in defense. Tommy Steigerwald did a great job on the right side of the defense for the second day running. Matel Anasta dazzled with blistering pace and tricky dribbling. Nick vonEgypt put forth a classic two-way effort on the right side of midfield. And goalkeeper Stephen Skonieczny was a rock in producing back-to-back shutouts for the home side.

Next up for Stockade is a home match against New York Athletic Club on Sunday, May 29 at 2 p.m. ET at Dietz Stadium.

Kingston Stockade FC Fall 3-0 to Brooklyn Italians

Stockade players applaud KSFC fans that traveled to see the team in Brooklyn.

By Randy Kim, Kingston Stockade FC General Manager

BROOKLYN, N.Y. -- They say it's not about the result, but more about the journey. But in this case, the journey certainly didn't help with the result.

After arriving at the grounds well over an hour after their scheduled arrival due to extremely heavy traffic during the journey south to the five boroughs, Kingston Stockade FC fell to Brooklyn Italians, 3-0, on Friday night at the Aviator Sports and Entertainment Complex, in just the second match in Stockade club history.

Hampered by very little warmup time, Stockade had trouble finding its footing early on in the match, and shipped two goals by the 20th minute, creating an early deficit that proved too much to overcome.

The squad did show some solid fight-back, however, and mostly played even-up for the final hour of the match (despite giving up a third goal very late in the match). For Stockade, Matel Anasta's pace proved to be extremely disruptive for the home side. Matt Koziol once again put forth a yeoman effort in the middle of the pitch, while displaying skill and craftiness when in possession of the ball. And captain Jamal Lis-Simmons was a selfless ball-hawk in the middle of defense.

But ultimately KSFC was undone by a flat start mixed with a good dose of quality applied by the home side.

The loss comes less than a week after a gutsy 1-1 road draw against Greater Lowell United FC.

Next up for Kingston is the first home match in club history; Stockade hosts Rhode Island Reds on Saturday, May 21 at 2 p.m. ET at Dietz Stadium in Kingston.

This will be followed on Sunday, May 22 with a visit from the same Greater Lowell side that Stockade played in its first-ever match.

Travel delays should be highly unlikely for the home side in either match.