The Ocean City Nor’easters (5-1-3) were back in action Sunday night at Carey Stadium versus Lehigh Valley United (2-6-1). The Nor’easters are coming off their first loss in two years. Ocean City came into this game trailing West Chester United SC by eight points in the Mid-Atlantic Division.
Ocean City were in control in the first half. After nearly getting on the board several times, the Nor’easters were able to score in the sixteenth minute. With an assist from Nicholas Akoto, Simon Becher scored his eighth goal of the season for a 1-0 lead. Ocean City led 1-0 at halftime.
Three minutes into the second half, Simon Becher found Alex Andersson for the breakaway. His shot was stopped by Lehigh Valley United goalkeeper Lance McGrane. In the 67th minute, Neville Morgan set up Caden Stafford with a nice pass. Stafford sprinted towards the goal post before directing the ball to the lower right corner of the net for his first goal of the season and a 2-0 lead.
Stafford was a late addition to the Nor’easters, spending time with the Philadelphia Union Academy, and was on the Union 2 roster last year. Stafford recently committed to the University of Maryland.
With twenty-two minutes left in the game, Austin DaSilva, with an assist from Caden Stafford, sent the ball to the upper right corner of the net for the goal that extended Ocean City’s lead 3-0 in the 78th minute.
Late in the game, Lehigh Valley United made a couple of runs but could not find the net. The Ocean City Nor’easters got back in the winning column with a 3-0 win. Ocean City’s record is now 6-1-3, with four games remaining in the season.
Ocean City goalkeeper Jahmali Waite earned a clean sheet. With his eighth goal of the season, Simon Becher is now tied for third in total goals with Ignacio Lerech of Wester Mass Pirates and Charles Touche of Lionsbridge FC. The Nor’easters finished the night with twelve shots.
The Nor’easters return to Carey Stadium this Friday, July 2nd, versus Real Central New Jersey, at 7 pm.
