Ambassadors FC Ohio took advantage of corner kick that RNY FC failed to clear in the 91st minute when Jax Pena slotted a perfect cross inside the six yard box that Diego Pinto finished to give the host all three points in their home opener at King Field in Canton, Ohio on Saturday afternoon.
AFC Ohio moves to the top of the table in the Great Lakes Conference in the infancy of the season. Head Coach & Technical Director Ryan Dean expressed great praise for his side and also great caution. “We think the guys are in a great place so early in the season and getting a result this way just demonstrates to them that the work, and the process, is worth it,” he said. “And, the reality is that after the match, the team is only talking about taking things a training session and a match at a time. Their mentality is mature and has the right perspective at this point in the season.”
The first half saw extended periods of possession and patience by both teams through the first 30 min. with Ambassadors looking far more threatening and missing some quality chances. Then, in the 37 minute, AFC wingback Jordan Akins slipped when trying to progress a pass while under light pressure that allowed RNY FC forward & captain Zach Drayer to go in on goal freely and to give them a 1-0 lead totally against the run of play.
Pena, who was recognized as the State Farm “Man of the Match” for his persistent contributions and ability to create opportunities for the team in black, made a sliding tackle on RNY centerback Brennan McDermott that McDermott took great offense to as he immediately swung his leg back in anger through both of Pena’s legs to draw a red card in the in the 42nd minute giving AFC Ohio at least 48 minutes playing a man up for the remainder of the match.
As the 2nd half opened, it was clear that each team changed its approach to address their own desires…RNY FC to sustain a lead and add to it while playing with 10…AFC to increase the pressure and consistently outnumber their undermanned opponent. The pressure was obvious, as was the perseverence of of RNY.
But, that pressure and the ability to spread the field payed off in the 53rd minute when Akins made amends fo the slip by clipping in a near perfect from 25 yds. out on the right flank to a streaking former Mount Union teammate Alex Depperschmidt that he finished 1st time from just inside the penalty spot to bring the home side level in the 53rd minute.
“That was the deep breath and breathing space we wanted and hoped for early on in the half,” said Dean. “From there on out, is was all about bringing energy, staying with the plan, and creating as many chances as possible.”
The next 37 minutes was nothing but an onslaught of opportunities, set pieces, scraps, and pressure from Ambassadors as RNY FC stood strong and consistently cleared their lines to relieve the stress. Pinto and first-year addition Tyler Harsch were inserted into the match to provide energy and to increase the pressure and both certainly lived up to the expectation producing frequent quality chances for others as well as shots on and off target.
Just when the match looked like it was headed for a courageous draw for both sides, AFC Ohio earned a corner kick in the 91st minute. Pena played a short corner to the corner of the penalty area that Yoni Sorokine hit towards goal, only to be deflected to the opposite side of the area by and RNY foot. First-year center back Jacob Schacht who came on in the 61st minute in relief of Davis Novak kept the deflection alive by serving it over the box back to Pena. Pena then beat his defender to the byline slotted it through the six yard box to a second post run by Pinto who easily put it away to earn maximum points for his side.
Ambassadors will travel next Saturday to Niagara Falls, NY and the campus of Niagara University to take on hosts Niagara 1812 at 7:00 p.m. EDT.
