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Match Recap:North Carolina FC Earns 2-2 Draw at New York

June 10, 2017 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
North Carolina FC News Release


NEW YORK - North Carolina FC battled to a 2-2 draw against the New York Cosmos on Saturday afternoon at MCU Park to remain in the top half of the NASL standings with a valuable point on the road.

The entertaining match featured several impressive goals with end-to-end play throughout the full 90 minutes. Billy Schuler and Lance Laing stayed on form after both players scored impressive long-range goals.

With the result, NCFC remains in fourth place in the league table with 15 points on the season. The team has secured points on the road in four of its six road matches this season.

It only took seven minutes for the attacking-minded teams to open the scoring in Brooklyn, as New York struck first. Irvin Herrera took advantage of a well-played ball in the box from Ayoze and slotted his shot through the defense and past Brian Sylvestre to grab the early lead.

NCFC didn't trail for long, scoring an equalizer just four minutes later. After Laing's corner kick was punched out, Schuler found himself in space at the top of the box and volleyed a first-time strike into the back of the net for his fifth goal of the season across all competitions.

The remainder of the half resulted in chances on both ends, as Sylvestre and Jimmy Maurer both made impressive saves.

Just before the halftime whistle, NCFC added another beautiful goal with a patented Laing free kick. Steven Miller earned the free kick after being pulled down outside the box. Laing's left foot curled the ball over the wall and into the near post for his fifth NASL goal of the year and his third tally from outside the box to give NCFC a 2-1 halftime lead.

Following the break, NCFC came out on the front foot and pushed numbers forward to create several chances. As the half wore on, New York began to settle into the match and eventually gained momentum late in the contest. In the 82^nd minute, Christian Ibeagha was forced to clear a ball off the line to preserve the lead.

The Cosmos' pressure would pay off minutes later, as Kalif Alhassan scored in the 84^th minute. Alhassan found space in the box and lofted a perfectly-placed ball over the top of Sylvestre and into the goal.

In the dying minutes of the match, both goalkeepers were called upon, as Maurer came out to deny Schuler in the 90^th minute and Sylvestre made a diving save in stoppage time, but neither team could find the go-ahead goal.

Up Next: NCFC will return home to Sahlen's Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park on Wednesday, June 14th at 7:30 p.m. as it takes on the Houston Dynamo in the fourth round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Fans can purchase tickets at NCFCTIX.com or by calling our box office at 919-459-8144.

Notes: * Brad Ruhaak earned his second start of the season * Billy Schuler scored his fifth goal of the year across all competitions with an equalizer in the 11^th minute * Lance Laing scored his fifth NASL goal of the season and second free-kick goal of the season in the 45^th minute. * New York remained undefeated against NCFC for the eighth-straight match, a streak dating back to 2015.

Box Score

Lineups NYC: Jimmy Maurer; Ryan Richter, Carlos Mendes ©, Richard Menjivar (Kalif Alhassan, 60'), Jimmy Mulligan; Ayoze, Danny Szetela, Javi Marquez, Walter Restrepo (Eric Calvillo, 70'), Eugene Starikov (Andres Flores, 46'); Irvin Herrera

Subs not used: Brian Holt, Alexis Velela, Salvatore Barone, Danilo Radjen

NCFC: Brian Sylvestre; Kareem Moses, Brad Ruhaak, Christian Ibeagha, Steven Miller; Lance Laing (Tiyi Shipalane, 74'), Nazmi Albadawi ©, James Marcelin (Bolu Akinyode, 21'), Austin da Luz; Matt Fondy (Brian Shriver, 83') Billy Schuler

Subs not used: Mack Robinson, Saeed Robinson, Dre Fortune

Score: NYC: 2 NCFC: 2

Goals: NYC: Irvin Herrera (Ayoze, 7'), Kalif Alhassan (Andres Flores, 84') NCFC: Billy Schuler (unassisted, 11'), Lance Laing (unassisted, 45')

Cautions: NYC: Carlos Mendes 30' NCFC: Christian Ibeagha 90+'

Ejections: NYC: -- NCFC: -- Attendance: 4,285

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