USL Philadelphia Union II

Bethlehem Steel FC Rallies Back to Down North Carolina FC

Published on June 2, 2018 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Philadelphia Union II News Release


Ben Ofeimu of Bethlehem Steel FC vs. North Carolina FC
Ben Ofeimu of Bethlehem Steel FC vs. North Carolina FC
(Philadelphia Union II)

CARY, North Carolina - Trailing in the late stages on the road, Bethlehem Steel FC dug deep for a furious comeback with a pair of goals to defeat North Carolina FC, 2-1.

Despite surrendering a set piece goal in the 16th minute, Steel FC answered in the 83rd and 85th minutes respectively on strikes from two of its youngest players in Ben Ofeimu and Michee Ngalina.

In search of an equalizer, Steel FC earned a crucial corner kick after Chris Nanco tried to connect with Ngalina. While the hosts defended the set piece, Santi Moar collected the headed clearance shielding off a defender before sending a high volley to the far post. Unmarked and in his club debut, Ofeimu calmed settled the pass and fired it into the back of the net for the equalizer. The strike was historic off the right foot of the 18-year-old as he became the first current member of the Philadelphia Union Academy to score for Bethlehem Steel FC.

Steel FC wouldn't be satisfied with just a draw as two minutes later it was Moar once again creating a goal. Coming off a goal kick from Jake McGuire, Steel FC captain James Chambers switched the point of attack with a blast to Moar on the far side of the field. The Spaniard collected it with two touches with his right foot before threading a pass in front of goal that was finished off by Ngalina.

The two goals capped off a contest that began after a 30-minute weather delay that pushed kickoff back. The opening half saw both teams spent the opening 10 minutes adjusting to the conditions before Steel FC earned a scoring chance in the 14th minute from Ngalina. Chasing down a volley over the North Carolina FC defense, the 18-year-old was unable able to put it on frame. Two minutes later, North Carolina converted on their second set-piece opportunity of the contest. Midfielder Kyle Bekker provided the right-footed service that defender Peabo Doue got on the end of at the far post and tapped it in.

Down a goal, Steel FC regained the momentum with a pair of dangerous chances from the middle of the pitch. Three minutes after surrendering the goal, Philadelphia Union midfielder Fabian Herber found space at the top of the box and fired a shot that missed the upper corner. On the ensuing goal kick, Steel FC's high press forced a turnover that Santi Moar nearly made North Carolina pay with a shot that was stopped by goalkeeper Alex Tambakis.

Steel FC returns to the Lehigh Valley next weekend when they host defending USL Cup Champions Louisville City FC on Saturday, June 9. Kick off from Goodman Stadium on the campus of Lehigh University is scheduled for 5 p.m.

MATCH RECAP

Bethlehem Steel FC 2, North Carolina FC 1

Sahlen's Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park

Cary, NC.

MATCH STATS

Shots: 18-8 (North Carolina)

Shots On Goal: 6-5 (Bethlehem)

Corners: 7-2 (North Carolina)

Saves: 4-4

SCORING SUMMARY

NC - 16' Peabo Doue (Kyle Bekker)

BST - 83' Ben Ofeimu (Santi Moar)

BST - 85' Michee Ngalina (Santi Moar)

DISCIPLINE SUMMARY

BST - 25' Adam Najem (Yellow Card)

NC - 57' Conor Tobin (Yellow Card)

NC - 67' Michael Harrington (Yellow Card)

NC - 89' Austin da Luz (Yellow Card)

BETHLEHEM STEEL FC STARTING XI

Jake McGuire; Matt Real, Brandon Aubrey, Ben Ofeimu, Matt Mahoney; James Chambers, Adam Najem; Michee Ngalina (Mike Catalano 90'), Santi Moar, Fabian Herbers (Drew Skundrich 61'); Aidan Apodaca (Chris Nanco 45+1').

Substitutes not used: AJ Paterson, Prosper Chiluya.

NORTH CAROLINA FC STARTING XI

Alex Tambakis; Peabo Doue, Michael Harrington, Conor Tobin, DJ Taylor; Austin da Luz, Marcel Kandziora (Tiyi Shipalane 87'), Graham Smith, Kyle Bekker; Daniel Rios (Dre Fortune 80'), Ulrich Ewolo (Marios Lomis 68').

Substitutes not used: Austin Guerrero, Aaron Guillen, Wiulito Fernandes, Cameron Steele.

MATCH OFFICIALS

Officials: Elvis Osmanovic, Ryan Graves (Assistant), Ben Pilgrim (Assistant), Forrest Ambrose (Fourth Official).

LVHN TEAM NOTES

- Defender Ben Ofeimu made his Bethlehem Steel FC debut tonight, starting at center back.

- Ofeimu becomes the 19th product of the Philadelphia Union Academy to make his debut with Steel FC.

- Ofeimu also became just the sixth Academy member to make his debut in the starting XI, joining Auston Trusty, Matt Real, Tomas Romero, Dawson McCartney and Micheal Pellegrino.

- With his goal in the 83rd minute, Ofeimu's goal was not only his first USL and Steel FC strike but it was the first goal by a current member of the Union Academy with Steel FC.

- Ofeimu strike makes him the youngest goalscorer in Steel FC history, finding the back of the net at just 17 years and eight months.

- Michee Ngalina tallied his second goal and second game-winning goal of 2018 in the 85th minute. Ngalina's first strike came against New York Red Bulls II on May 16.

- Midfielder Santi Moar collected a pair of assists in the win, becoming the third player in Steel FC history to achieve that in a single match. Moar joins Adam Najem and Cory Burke in the feat.

- The assists for Moar was his second and third of 2018, putting him in the lead for the club. Moar now has nine assists in his USL career.

- Bethlehem Steel FC is now 4-0-4 over the past two seasons in its debuts away from home against USL newcomers.

Check out the Philadelphia Union II Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Images from this story

Ben Ofeimu of Bethlehem Steel FC vs. North Carolina FC
Ben Ofeimu of Bethlehem Steel FC vs. North Carolina FC
   



United Soccer League Championship Stories from June 2, 2018


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central