American Soccer Club New York Edged by the New York Shockers in Season Opener

Stoppage time goal lifts the Shockers to a 2-1 win

By Peter Schwartz/American Soccer Club New York 

Thomas Sams scored in the 91st minute to give the visiting New York Shockers a 2-1 win over American Soccer Club New York in the season opener for both teams on Saturday night at Mitchel Athletic Complex on Long Island.  Rood Apolon opened the scoring for the visitors with a goal in the 34th minute, and the Shockers took a 1-0 lead into the halftime break.

“It was frustrating,” said Fighting Tomcats head coach John Fitzgerald. “The first 25 minutes or so was all us which is good.  That’s the type of soccer we want to play.  We allowed the game to get a little bit away from us.”

American Soccer Club New York came out strong in the second half, and they got the equalizer in the 75th minute as defender Tommy Wagner struck home the Fighting Tomcats’ first tally of the season. 

“We had the game after I scored that goal,” said Wagner. “I thought we were going to come back and score another right away.”

The home club kept pushing for the lead goal but the match remained tied until Sams beat Fighting Tomcats goalkeeper Aidan Ganun to put the Shockers ahead in stoppage time. 

“We came back and tied it up,” said Fitzgerald. “It was great and then unfortunately one error led to the goal against at the worst time of the game and we had to deal with it.” 

It was a valiant effort from the Fighting Tomcats but they drop their season opener for the second straight season and they fall to the Shockers after a pair of 1-1 draws in 2025. 

“Definitely frustrating,” said Wagner. “Unlucky counter attack goal we gave up at the end.  We need to learn how to close out the game.”

 The Fighting Tomcats will host AC Newport on Saturday, May 16th at LaValle Stadium on the campus of Stony Brook University.  Kickoff is set for 6:00 pm, and tickets are available at www.ascnewyork.com.

Photo Credit: Barsallo Media/Storyline Sports/ASC New York