Penn FC Defeats Bethlehem Steel FC 3-2
July 6, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release
HARRISBURG, Pa. - Penn FC (6-4-7) extended its unbeaten streak to six matches while picking up its fourth win in that stretch with a 3-2 win against interstate rival Bethlehem Steel FC (6-6-5) Friday night.
The action started early in Harrisburg, with the visitors pressing for an opener in the first half.
Bethlehem drew first blood in the 17th minute. After applying pressure down the left wing, midfielder Santi Moar found Fabian Herbers at the top of the box. The forward dribbled into space in the box and placed a right-footed strike into the bottom left corner to give the visitors the lead.
However, Rush Soccer's First Team responded immediately in front of its raucous home crowd of 3,103.
Forward Issac Osae placed a shot on target in the 20th minute that was barely deflected by Bethlehem's goalkeeper Jake McGuire. The goalkeeper failed to corral the ball, and Freddie Opoku buried the rebound from the far side into the roof of the net to equalize.
Riding the momentum from the quick equalizer, Penn FC forced a corner in the 25th minute. Richard Menjivar placed his corner kick toward the back post and found Kyle Venter. His effort was tipped onto the crossbar and popped up into the air. The in-form Lucky Mkosana reacted first and, headed home the rebound for his sixth goal in four matches.
Conceding the early goal to Steel FC ignited the offensive pressure from the Blue and White, leading the home side to outshoot the visitors 16 to five in the first half.
Penn FC picked up where they left off in the first half, keeping the pressure deep in Bethlehem's half. Ten minutes after the break, Paulo Junior won the ball in the midfield and sprung the counter attack. The Brazilian's through ball found Mkosana streaking between the opposition's center backs. Mkosana played a first time ball into the path of Osae who took a touch into the box and powered his finish into the top corner at the near post to score Penn FC's third unanswered goal.
As Bethlehem searched for a way back into the match, they caught a break in the 81st minute. Substitute Calvin Rezende committed a foul in the Penn FC box, resulting in Herbers doubling his tally on the night from the penalty spot.
Penn FC played aggressively in the waning minutes of stoppage time, winning 50-50 balls and draining out the clock to secure three more points in its rise up the Eastern Conference Standings. Rush Soccer's First Team currently sits in eighth place and the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference standings.
Penn FC returns to FNB Field to continue its momentum Monday, July 9th when it hosts the Richmond Kickers. Kickoff between the two sides is set for 7 p.m. Tickets are available at pennfc.com/tickets.
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