SSFAC fell behind early, staged a couple of comebacks, but in the end it wasn't enough to overcome a difficult Maritimo team as they prevailed 6-3. Maritimo got on the board early with a goal in the 8th minute, then things started to settle down as South City got themselves involved in the match. Initially they were not winning the individual battles, and Maritimo was quicker to the ball. The situation became more desperate when Maritimo scored early into the 2nd half to take a 2-0 lead, but SSF responded immediately as goalkeeper Abner Ramos sent a punt to midfield where Fabio Marques played the bounce, beat the defender and went in alone on the keeper beating him low to his left to bring the game closer at 2-1. SSF began putting on the pressure and started to take control in the Maritimo half of the field. Jonathan Wong creating havoc all day with his intense high pressure, stole the ball, dumped a pass to Marques who promptly laid it off to Ryan Wiegmann who finished his chance with a goal to the far side netting to equalize at 2. Momentum seemed to have shifted, but Maritimo countered with 2 goals of their own to regain the lead at 4-2. Still, South City pressed foward and were rewarded when Andrew Pantano's charging run in the area led to a take down and a penalty awarded. Marques first attempt was stopped by the keeper, however the linesman determined he had moved early. Marques then buried the re-take and it was a game again at 4-3. As SSF tried pushing hard to level the score, Maritmo got free and tallied again at the 87th minute to ice the game. A penalty kick goal in stoppage time closed out the scoring and Maritimo had a hard fought 6-3 win. Bobby Quinlan & Wong were brilliant all game as they seemed to be everywhere on the pitch applying constant pressure and creating chances. On defense Jim Burke, Scott Ellis, Harry Andreades & Ever Alvarez played their usual steady game. "I thought we were watching the game early on," stated Coach Mike, "but then when we got down by 2-0, the team came roaring back and played hard the entire 2nd half. Actually the boys really took control after the opening 20 minutes, but unfortunately a few breakdowns and missed opportunites cost us. I was very proud of their effort today. It would have been the easy way out to just see the game through after falling behind twice by 2 goals, but they never quit, battled hard and for each other, putting Maritimo on their heels as they pushed hard to equalize the game. That energy, hard work, and never say die attitude is what makes this team so special, and keeps them in every match. They did their best today, and that is something they can continue to build on for the coming weeks." SSFAC has the Bye Week coming up but returns to league play on Oct. 23rd
SSFAC fell behind early, staged a couple of comebacks, but in the end it wasn't enough to overcome a difficult Maritimo team as they prevailed 6-3. Maritimo got on the board early with a goal in the 8th minute, then things started to settle down as South City got themselves involved in the match. Initially they were not winning the individual battles, and Maritimo was quicker to the ball. The situation became more desperate when Maritimo scored early into the 2nd half to take a 2-0 lead, but SSF responded immediately as goalkeeper Abner Ramos sent a punt to midfield where Fabio Marques played the bounce, beat the defender and went in alone on the keeper beating him low to his left to bring the game closer at 2-1. SSF began putting on the pressure and started to take control in the Maritimo half of the field. Jonathan Wong creating havoc all day with his intense high pressure, stole the ball, dumped a pass to Marques who promptly laid it off to Ryan Wiegmann who finished his chance with a goal to the far side netting to equalize at 2. Momentum seemed to have shifted, but Maritimo countered with 2 goals of their own to regain the lead at 4-2. Still, South City pressed foward and were rewarded when Andrew Pantano's charging run in the area led to a take down and a penalty awarded. Marques first attempt was stopped by the keeper, however the linesman determined he had moved early. Marques then buried the re-take and it was a game again at 4-3. As SSF tried pushing hard to level the score, Maritmo got free and tallied again at the 87th minute to ice the game. A penalty kick goal in stoppage time closed out the scoring and Maritimo had a hard fought 6-3 win. Bobby Quinlan & Wong were brilliant all game as they seemed to be everywhere on the pitch applying constant pressure and creating chances. On defense Jim Burke, Scott Ellis, Harry Andreades & Ever Alvarez played their usual steady game. "I thought we were watching the game early on," stated Coach Mike, "but then when we got down by 2-0, the team came roaring back and played hard the entire 2nd half. Actually the boys really took control after the opening 20 minutes, but unfortunately a few breakdowns and missed opportunites cost us. I was very proud of their effort today. It would have been the easy way out to just see the game through after falling behind twice by 2 goals, but they never quit, battled hard and for each other, putting Maritimo on their heels as they pushed hard to equalize the game. That energy, hard work, and never say die attitude is what makes this team so special, and keeps them in every match. They did their best today, and that is something they can continue to build on for the coming weeks." SSFAC has the Bye Week coming up but returns to league play on Oct. 23rd