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Philadelphia Union II

Second-Half Strikes Send Steel FC to Sweep of Richmond

August 4, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Philadelphia Union II News Release


Bethlehem Steel FC battles the Richmond Kickers
Bethlehem Steel FC battles the Richmond Kickers
(Philadelphia Union II)

RICHMOND, VA. - Led by second-half goals from Santi Moar, Omar Holness and Michee Ngalina, Bethlehem Steel FC completed a three-game sweep of the Richmond Kickers with a 3-0 shutout on the road.

After a scoreless but eventful first half, Steel FC picked up its scoring form established last weekend with three goals in 31 minutes to claim the club's third road victory and third clean sheet of the season.

Santi Moar provided the match-winning goal in the 54th minute, collecting a pass from the right side and firing a right-footed curler inside the near post for his fourth goal of the season. While Nanco collected his fourth assist of 2018, Moar's goal made the 24-year-old the founding member of the Steel FC 10-10 club for goals and assists.

After goalkeeper Jake McGuire made back-to-back saves, Steel FC turned to its bench to cement the result. Entering in the 77th minute, midfielder Omar Holness did just that. After a strong run into the box by Philadelphia Union defender Olivier Mbaizo, Holness headed home a cross from the Cameroonian for his first goal as a member of Steel FC.

One assist wasn't enough to Mbaizo, as the 20-year-old slipped substitute Michee Nglaina behind the Kickers' defense in the 85th minute. Ngalina cut to his right to avoid the rushing keeper before calmly depositing his third career goal.

The three-goal second half came after a scoreless opening 45 minutes. Playing on the Virginia summer's night, Steel FC came out with its signature high-pressing defense and nearly struck for the night's first goal in the second minute. After Philadelphia Union defender Olivier Mbaizo drew a free kick outside the Kickers' box, Santi Moar fired a right-footed shot on frame that was punched over the crossbar. Six minutes later, goalkeeper Jake McGuire was called upon to keep the match scoreless, as a ping-ponged cross found its way to a Brian Shriver header that forced a reaction save.

Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Jake McGuire picked up his first clean sheet of 2018 in the win over Richmond with five saves.

Bethlehem Steel FC continues its two-game road swing to the south against the Charlotte Independence on Wednesday, August 8. Kick off from the Sportsplex at Matthews is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and will be broadcast live on ESPN+.

MATCH RECAP

Bethlehem Steel FC 3, Richmond Kickers 0

City Stadium

Richmond, VA.

MATCH STATS

Shots: 14-13 (Bethlehem)

Shots On Goal: 5-5

Corners: 6-6

Saves: 5-2 (Bethlehem

SCORING SUMMARY

BST - 54' Santi Moar (Chris Nanco)

BST - 77' Omar Holness (Olivier Mbaizo)

BST - 85' Michee Ngalina (Olivier Mbaizo)

DISCIPLINE SUMMARY

BST - 18' Matt Real (Yellow Card)

BST - 45' Matt Mahoney (Yellow Card)

RIC - 48' Braeden Troyer (Yellow Card)

BETHLEHEM STEEL FC STARTING XI

Jake McGuire; Matt Real, Brandon Aubrey, Matt Mahoney, Olivier Mbaizo; James Chambers, Drew Skundrich; Santi Moar, Brenden Aaronson (Omar Holness 7'), Chris Nanco (Faris 71'); Aidan Apodaca (Michee Ngalina 63').

Substitutes not used: Tomas Romero, Prosper Chiluya, Ben Ofeimu, Mike Catalano.

RICHMOND KICKERS STARTING XI

Trevor Spangenberg; Evan Lee, Scott Thomsen, Mallan Roberts, Alex Lee; Raul Gonzalez, Braeden Troyer (Christopher Osei-Wusu 80'); Brian Shriver, Luiz Fernando, Greg Boehme (Brandon Eaton 75'), Giuseppe Gentile (Yudai Imura 68').

Substitutes not used: Kent Dickey, Austin Yearwood, Mekeil Williams, Neil Hlavaty.

MATCH OFFICIALS

Officials: Jose Lara, Jeff Skinker (Assistant), Andrew Hutton (Assistant), Robert Betts. (Fourth Official).

LVHN TEAM NOTES

- Bethlehem Steel FC completed a three-game sweep of the Richmond Kickers tonight. It's the second time in club history the club has swept an opponent three times in a single season, with the last occurrence coming last season against Toronto FC II.

- Bethlehem Steel FC added three assists tonight, established a new single-season club record with 30 assists on 38 goals. The previous record of 27 was established last season.

- Santi Moar's second-half goal tonight was his fourth of 2018 and the tenth of his Steel FC career. Moar becomes the first player in Steel FC history in the 10-10 club, with 10 goals and 12 assists.

- Moar is just four points away from the tying the franchise record for career points, where Cory Burke sits with 36 points.

- On Moar's goal, Chris Nanco picked up his fourth assist of the year. The 23-year-old now has six assists in his two-year career with the club, which is tied for third in franchise history.

- Omar Holness opened his Bethlehem Steel FC scoring account in the 77th minute in just his fourth appearance with the club.

- On Holness's goal, Olivier Mbaizo earned his first league and team assist. Mbaizo added another assist to tie the club's single-match record for the category.

- Michee Ngalina scored his third goal of 2018 with his insurance goal in the 85th minute.

- Goalkeeper Jake McGuire picked up his first shutout of 2018 and the sixth of his Steel FC career.

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Images from this story

Bethlehem Steel FC vs. the Richmond Kickers
Bethlehem Steel FC vs. the Richmond Kickers
 Bethlehem Steel FC battles the Richmond Kickers
Bethlehem Steel FC battles the Richmond Kickers
  

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