Atlantic City FC finishes the regular season with a 3-1 win

The Atlantic City FC (7-0-2) wrapped up the 2021 NPSL regular season Wednesday night with a 3-1 win over FC Monmouth at Silver Eagle Stadium in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. The Aces needed a win plus a loss or draw by West Chester United SC, who played Torch FC to clinch the first seed.

Atlantic City FC forward Loic Jean-Baptiste was in action early as he intercepted the ball from Monmouth’s Zachary Pereira before sprinting toward FC Monmouth goalkeeper and former Ace Matt Perrella. Perrella came out of his goal net, and Baptiste chipped the ball to the lower left side for the goal to put the Aces up 1-0 in the 15^th minute. It was Baptiste’s fourth goal of the season.

The Aces had a couple of chances to add another goal in the first half. Baptiste almost had another goal, but his shot was deflected and went out of bounds.

As halftime was approaching, FC Monmouth tied the game 1-1 off a corner kick by Chase Covello that went into the direction of Adrian Barajas before Barajas went upstairs for the goal. The game remained tied 1-1 at halftime.

In the second half, Atlantic City FC were pressuring Monmouth’s defense. Jeremy Opong almost broke the tie before missing the shot wide left.

In the 63^rd minute, Ace’s center back Niklas Laenger, made a long pass from the backend to the direction of Daniel Diaz Bonilla. Bonilla had a Monmouth defender on him and still managed to get off the shot that went to the lower-left corner of the net and broke the tie 2-1. It was Bonilla’s fourth goal of the season.

After that goal, the Aces were looking for an insurance goal. Jeremy Opong came close to doing that, but Matt Perrella stopped his shot. At the 90^th-minute mark, Atlantic City FC went on the attack. Kalvin Semedo drew Perrella away from his net before sending the ball Jeremy Opong’s way.

He had an empty net in front of him and made the goal that sealed the game. Atlantic City FC defeated FC Monmouth 3-1 to finish the regular season 8-0-2. Ace’s goalkeeper Lucas Daunhauer made two saves.

Meanwhile, West Chester United SC took care of business with a 6-1 win over Torch FC, giving them the number one seed while Atlantic FC are the two seed.

The NPSL Keystone Conference semifinals start Friday, July 16^th. West Chester United SC will host FC Monmouth, and Atlantic City FC will host FC Motown.

Atlantic City FC’s next game will be the first round of the NISA Independent Cup tournament kicking off this Saturday, July 10^th, from Cedar Crest College Falcon Plex in Allentown, PA, versus Allentown United at 7 pm on Eleven Sports.