The Ocean City Nor’easters (5-0-1) returned to Carey Stadium on Saturday night against Lehigh Valley United (0-6-2) for the second time this season. In their first meeting, the Nor’easters won 3-1 in Lehigh Valley on May 24th.
Ocean City came into this game leading the all-time series 14-2 against Lehigh Valley United. Their two losses came on the road. In addition, they are 7-0 against Lehigh Valley United. Ocean City has won six straight against Lehigh Valley United, including sweeping them last year.
Ocean City struck first in the 14th minute when Brad Dildy made a cross pass into the box for Ryan Becher and he scored for a 1-0 lead. It was Becher’s second goal of the season. The two would connect again in the 29th minute as Ryan Becher chipped the ball inside the box for Ryan Becher for the goal making it 2-0.
It was Becher’s second goal the night and Dildy’s second assist. The Nor’easters almost had another goal by Nick Pariano but he missed the shot wide left. Ocean City led 2-0 at halftime.
In the second half, Lehigh Valley United cut Ocean City’s lead to 2-1 in the 51st minute by Steven Riad. However, Ocean City got the goal back in the 82nd minute by Galen Flynn after a shot deflected off Nigel Griffith and into the net. It was now 3-1. Ocean City put the game away in the 85th minute by Leonardo D’Ambrosio.
The Nor’easters defeated Lehigh Valley United by the final score of 4-1. With the win, Ocean City extends its regular-season unbeaten streak to 21 games. Ocean City sits alone in first place in the Mid-Atlantic Division with 16 points, six points ahead of West Chester United SC.
Ocean City are now 2-0 against Lehigh Valley United. Their next meeting will be on July 9th. Ocean City hits the road again for a two-game road trip starting on Wednesday from Ben Cohen Field against Real Central New Jersey at 7 pm.
