Penn FC Falls at North Carolina FC
April 28, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release
CARY, N.C. - Penn FC saw its unbeaten streak ended at four matches after falling at North Carolina FC, 3-0, Saturday night at Sahlen's Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park.
Penn FC's first loss since late March was decided during an eight-minute flurry in the first half by NCFC.
In the 29th minute, NCFC drew first blood and capitalized on chaos in the box. Frederick Opoku won a challenge in the box but, in the process of winning the tackle, saw the ball bounce to NCFC's Kyle Bekker. The midfielder crossed the ball from the right side of the box to Austin da Luz who headed his attempt into the goal.
NCFC doubled its lead with a fortunate deflection in the 35th minute. Peabo Doue crossed the ball from the left wing into the box. A headed attempt from NCFC missed the ball but Bekker raised his foot to stop it from flying farther, and the deflection pushed the ball into the back of the net.
The home team broke through one last time, two minutes later, on a give-and-go pass play. NCFC's leading scorer, Daniel Rios, survived a Penn FC tackle near the box and then fed the ball to Bekker who stood near the penalty kick hash mark. Bekker flicked the ball back to Rios and he put his attempt in the net.
Penn FC nearly got one back in the waning minutes of the first half. Opoku crossed the ball near the left corner flag into the box. Tommy Heinemann earned position over his defender and got his head on the crossed ball, however, the forward's attempt drifted just outside the right post for an NCFC goal kick.
Head Coach Raoul Voss made two changes on the offensive side at halftime. Pedro Galvão and Aaron Dennis entered the match, and the team doubled its shots and shots on target in the second half.
Penn FC nearly broke through in the 68th minute after Mauro Eustaquio received the ball on the counter-attack and was one-on-one with NCFC's keeper. Eustaquio chipped the ball with his right foot as the keeper challenged him but Alex Tambakis was able to extend his arm to earn the save.
Penn FC returns to Harrisburg, Pa., for its second homestand of the season beginning Friday, May 4. The team will host Voss' former club, Tampa Bay Rowdies, Friday at 7 p.m. before hosting Ottawa Fury FC, on a short turnaround, on Monday, May 7 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets for the upcoming homestand are available at www.pennfc.com/tickets.
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