By Michael Heilman
Atlantic City FC hosted its first-ever NPSL playoff game Tuesday night against the Philadelphia Lone Star FC. The Aces regular-season record of seven wins, two losses, and one tie earned them the number one seed in the Keystone Conference. Philadelphia clinched the fourth seed by winning against Electric City Shock and an FC Monmouth loss to West Chester United SC setting up this match. The Aces defeated Philadelphia earlier this season 6-1 in Philadelphia.
Both Atlantic City FC and Philadelphia had numerous chances to take the lead in the first half. Philadelphia had ten shots on goal versus Atlantic City FC with six shots on goal. Charlie Cunliffe of Atlantic City FC made critical saves in the first half. The Aces defense held steady in preventing Philadelphia from scoring. The first half ended in a scoreless tie.
Philadelphia struck first in the 50th minute of the second half when Ebere Goodluck with an assist from Patrick Singboh, lifted one just over the reach of Goalie Cunliffe to put the Lone Star FC up 1-0. Ten minutes later and for the second straight game, mother nature rolled in to cause an over two-hour weather delay.
When the game resumed, tensions were high on both teams as the winner would go on to the Keystone Conference Finals. In the 90+ minute of stoppage time, Lone Star FC would extend their lead when Anthony Allison with an assist from Opeyemi Amao, shot a sizzler past several defenders to give the Lone Star FC a 2-0 lead. Atlantic City FC would answer back a minute later when Alex Satrustegui with an assist from Rich Balchan, headed the ball to the lower right goal post to cut Lone Star FC lead 2-1. This would be Satrustegui’s eighth goal of the season. However, time would run out for the Aces comeback as the game would end with a 2-1 defeat.
Atlantic City FC improved their record from the 2018 season with many players having returned for their second season. Sportswriter Heywood Broun would say, “Sports do not build character, they reveal it.” The Aces indeed revealed their character and resilience as they look forward to the 2020 season.
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