Moar's Brace Pushes Steel FC to Victory over Ottawa
August 22, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Philadelphia Union II News Release
Brenden Aaronson of Bethlehem Steel FC vs. Ottawa Fury FC
(Philadelphia Union II)
BETHLEHEM, PA. - After a two-goal performance from Santi Moar and a stellar defensive effort, Bethlehem Steel FC claimed a crucial three points with a 2-0 win over Ottawa Fury FC at Goodman Stadium.
Moar's first-half brace, the second of his career, came 16 minutes apart as Marcus Epps earned an assist on the opening strike while the 24-year-old converted from the penalty spot for his second. Steel FC's result keeps the club in fifth place in the crowded USL Eastern Conference while tying the club record for most wins at Goodman Stadium on the campus of Lehigh University.
"That was a huge win for us, really important that we got three points and it's great to get another clean sheet," Bethlehem Steel FC head coach Brendan Burke said following the win. "That's five out of six and we are in good form while the group keeps changing so credit this to all the guys that have been a part of this through each game but also the guys that are coming into it and buying into the momentum and mentality to make sure we don't give much away."
Steel FC came out on the front foot early and converted in the 16th minute of play. After Epps won a second ball near the midfield line, he began the attack with a flick forward. Aidan Apodaca flicked it back to Epps in stride that sent him into the offensive third. With Moar racing in line with the Fury FC defense, Epps delivered a softly-weighted pass to Moar which the Spaniard chipped over the keeper for the opening strike.
One goal wasn't enough as Steel FC earned a point to the spot in the 31st minute off a set piece. After Brenden Aaronson played a short corner to Moar, he quickly centered the ball to defender Matt Real. With the set-piece working as drawn up, Real fired a volley to the far post where Drew Skundrich flicked it on frame and forced a handball. Moar stepped up to the spot, sending the keeper the wrong way for the brace and his sixth goal of 2018.
After a sunny first half, rain took over the Lehigh Valley in the second half as Ottawa pressed for a goal. Fury FC earned its first shot on goal in the 68th minute, as David Edgar had a header inside the box that Philadelphia Union goalkeeper John McCarthy stopped in route to his ninth career shutout with Steel FC.
Bethlehem Steel FC looks to continue the momentum as it heads on the road this weekend for an inaugural visit to Nashville SC on Saturday, August 26. Sitting in ninth place in the Eastern Conference table, the match could once again is another opportunity for each squad to strengthen its playoff position. Kick off from First Tennessee Park is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. EST and will be broadcast live on Service Electric and ESPN+.
MATCH RECAP
Bethlehem Steel FC 2, Ottawa Fury FC 0
Goodman Stadium
Bethlehem, PA.
MATCH STATS
Shots: 12-9 (Ottawa)
Shots on goal: 2-2
Corners: 8-5 (Ottawa)
Saves: 2-0 (Bethlehem)
SCORING SUMMARY
BST - 16' Santi Moar (Marcus Epps)
BST - 32' Santi Moar (PK)
DISCIPLINE SUMMARY
OTT - 31' Thomas Meilleur-Giguere (Yellow Card)
BST - 41' Drew Skundrich (Yellow Card)
OTT - 49' Tony Taylor (Yellow Card)
OTT - 58' Cristian Portilla (Yellow Card)
BST - 73' Santi Moar (Yellow Card)
BST - 84' Josh Yaro (Yellow Card)
BETHLEHEM STEEL FC STARTING XI
John McCarthy; Matt Real, Matt Mahoney, Josh Yaro, Olivier Mbaizo; James Chambers, Drew Skundrich; Santi Moar (Brandon Aubrey 89'), Brenden Aaronson (Chris Nanco 83'), Marcus Epps; Aidan Apodaca (Faris 72').
Substitutes not used: Tomas Romero, Ben Ofeimu, Prosper Chiluya, AJ Paterson.
OTTAWA FURY FC STARTING XI
Maxime Crepau; Clement Bayiha (Eddie Edward 45'), David Edgar, Thomas Meilleur-Giguere, Onua Obasi; Chris Mannella (Tony Taylor 45'), Jeremy Lapare, Cristian Portilla (Adonijah Reid 61'), Kevin Oliveira; Carl Haworth, Steevan Dos Santos.
Substitutes not used: David Monsalve, Nana Attakora.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Officials: Jon Freemon (Referee), Szczepan Dziewa (Assistant Referee), Katarzyna Wasiak (Assistant Referee), Patrick Casey (Fourth Official).
LVHN TEAM NOTES
- Bethlehem Steel FC picked up its 11th victory of the 2018 season, one shy of tying the club record set last season. Steel FC's victory is the club's sixth home victory, tying the franchise record also from 2017.
- Santi Moar scored his fifth and sixth goals of the season in the win, taking over the club lead for goals scored in 2018.
- Moar's brace is the seventh in Steel FC history and the Spaniard joins forward Cory Burke as the only places in team history with multiple multi-scoring matches.
- On Moar's opening goal, Philadelphia Union midfielder Marcus Epps earned his second assist of the season as a member of Bethlehem Steel FC.
- Goalkeeper John McCarthy earned his third shutout of the season in the win. The shutout is his ninth with Steel FC, putting him on top of the franchise's record.
Images from this story
 Santi Moar of Bethlehem Steel FC vs. Ottawa Fury FC |
 Marcus Epps of Bethlehem Steel FC vs. Ottawa Fury FC |
 Brenden Aaronson of Bethlehem Steel FC vs. Ottawa Fury FC |
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