Strikers Down Armada FC to Extend Unbeaten Streak to Six Games
Published on September 16, 2015 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (September 16, 2015) - The Fort Lauderdale Strikers extended their unbeaten streak to six games with a 2-0 victory over the Jacksonville Armada FC in North American Soccer League (NASL) action Wednesday night at Lockhart Stadium.
Wednesday's win catapults Fort Lauderdale to fourth place in both the NASL Fall Season and Combined Standings with 31 points and an 8-7-7 (W-T-L) record on the year.
Marlon Freitas opened the scoring for the Strikers in the 17th minute with a one-time shot from the top of the box. NASL leading scorer Stefano Pinho controlled an aerial pass with his chest before spotting Freitas, and leaving the ball for his Brazilian compatriot to sweep home for his fifth goal of the year.
James Marcelin sealed the victory with a goal in the 90th minute. Marcelin atoned for a missed opportunity earlier in the match when consecutive shots from close-range were denied by the Armada backfield.
The win in front 1,278 puts Fort Lauderdale in optimal position to retain the Coastal Cup trophy, which it won for the first time last year. The Strikers now have 12 points to the Tampa Bay Rowdies' nine points. With the defeat, Jacksonville remain without any points in are eliminated from Cup contention in the round-robin competition between the three Florida teams. The Red & Gold will see the Armada one final time, in the regular-season finale November 1 at Community First Park at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.
Fort Lauderdale goalkeeper Josh Ford earned his second consecutive shutout and third of the year for the Strikers. Ford and a stout Strikers' defense kept a clean sheet Saturday in a 0-0 draw in Ottawa and also in a 2-0 win at Edmonton on August 23.
The Strikers outshot the Armada FC 17-9, with seven shots on goal to the visitor's lone attempt.
Jacksonville defenders Shawn Nicklaw, Lucas Rodriguez and Fabricio Ortiz were shown yellow cards, as was Dani Sanchez for Fort Lauderdale, in a chippy affair.
The Strikers have a quick turnaround as they host the Ottawa Fury FC on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. EDT. Tickets are available for Saturday's match and all remaining Fort Lauderdale home games at Strikers.com.
North American Soccer League Stories from September 16, 2015
- Strikers Down Armada FC, 2-0 - Jacksonville Armada FC
- Strikers Down Armada FC to Extend Unbeaten Streak to Six Games - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
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.
