The Ocean City Nor’easters (5-0-3) returned to Carey Stadium Wednesday night in front of 215 fans versus the Philadelphia Lone Star FC (4-5). This was the second meeting between these two teams this season. In their last meeting at the Beach House, the Nor’easters beat Lone Star FC 2-1.
Four minutes into the play, Lone Star FC forward Aboubacar Camara took advantage of the bad pass by Josh Thacker. As Ocean City goalkeeper Jahmali Waite came out to block the shot, Camara easily tapped the ball to the back of the net for a 1-0 lead.
Philadelphia’s attackers kept Ocean City’s defense on their toes. The Nor’easters blocked a shot in the seventh minute. In the 14th minute, Josh Thacker tripped Kanibah Kutu-Akoi inside the 18-yard box resulting in a penalty kick taken by Bill Walleekendeh. Walleekendeh converted the penalty kick in the 15th minute to extend Lone Star FC’s lead 2-0.
Late in the first half, Ocean City had a chance to cut Lone Star FC’s lead when Austin DaSilva passed to Kyle Galloway. Lone Star FC goalkeeper Goodwill Agbaadem stopped Galloway’s shot. Philadelphia led Ocean City 2-0 at halftime.
Shortly after the second half started, Ocean City cut the Lone Star FC’s lead 2-1 when Austin DaSilva found Akeim Clarke. Then Clarke directed the ball to the lower left post for his first goal of the season.
Moving ahead to the 67th minute, Austin DaSilva was close to tying the game but just missed the shot wide left. In the 80th minute, Nor’easters midfielder Alex Andersson took a shot, but the ball went just right of the goal.
With fifteen minutes left in the game, Lone Star FC looked for an insurance goal. The Lone Star attackers used their speed to maneuver the ball toward the Nor’easters net.
Ocean City’s defense had a hard time keeping up with the pace. In extra time, Ocean City made two more attempts to tie the game to no prevail. Once the final whistle was blown, the Nor’easters fifteen-game unbeaten streak was snapped by Philadelphia Lone Star FC 2-1. The Nor’easters are now 5-1-3.
This loss was also the first for head coach Alan McCann. The last time the Nor’easters lost a game was June 15th, 2019, against Reading United AC.
Ocean City goalkeeper Jahmali White finished the game allowing two goals and two saves (.500 SV%). The Lone Star FC goalkeeper Goodwill Agbaadem allowed one goal and two saves (.667 SV%). The Nor’easters finished the night with one goal, one assist on eleven shots, and one yellow card.
The night got tougher for Ocean City in the division. The first-place West Chester United SC defeated Reading United AC 1-0 to improve to 8-1-2. The Nor’easter trail the Predators by eight points in the Mid-Atlantic Division.
The Nor’easters will look to get back on track Sunday night, June 27th, when Lehigh Valley United visits Carey Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 pm.
