Ambassadors FC Ohio Defeats Flower City Union in the 93rd Minute
By Ambassadors FC Ohio
Tyler Harsch (Aliquippa, PA/Univ. of Mount Union) took a slotted cross from Brenden French (Wooster, OH/Univ. of Indianapolis) in the 93rd minute and turned it into the match winner in a 2-1 victory over defending Great Lakes Conference champions Flower City Union at Dr. David & Winnie King Field on the campus of Malone University this evening.
This was the second victory this season for AFC Ohio against the reigning conference champions and keeps them in 2nd place in the Great Lakes Conference, trailing five-win Erie Commodores.
“We had to be the thermostat tonight, and not the thermometer,” said Ambassadors FC Ohio head coach & men’s technical director Ryan Dean following the match. “When we gave up the soft goal, we allowed them to dictate the temperature of the match and the mood and it was our maturity and composure that brought that down at first, and then slid it up as the match wore on. Really proud of the fellas and the way they responded.”
The first half of the match saw very limited chances from both sides as each took turns disrupting any attacking possession through the middle. AFC Ohio consistently tried to play over the top while FCU responded well with counterpressing and counter attacks that came after winning second balls and aerial duals as well.
Early in the 2nd half, Ambassadors goalkeeper Nick Bertolini (Doylestown, OH/Walsh Univ.) made a tremendous diving save to keep things level at zeros. However, he was also pressured into a giveaway pass in front of his own goal in the 59th minute, gifting Flower City a goal by Dylan Rice and raising the temperature in the match.
From that point on, Ambassadors began to take the initiative with positive possession and generated opportunities both from the flanks, and by coming through the middle. They seemed to make a shape adjustment to put more pressure on the Flower City backline and it created more opportunities for sure.
In the 80th minute, Amir Spratt was able to control a cross that came in from the right flank and left it for Depperschmidt, who took two extra touches to create space for himself in the penalty area before slotting one against the grain past the keeper to bring the match back to even.
“At that point, it was about the spirit and energy that we could generate to create chances for ourselves,” Dean said. “Against such a good side and such an experienced defending champion, we had to raise our level, create more, and be aware of the temperature of the match. All credit to our guys for doing that.”
Five minutes later, forward Diego Pinto (Akron, OH) pinged a first-time shot off the crossbar that nearly put AFC Ohio ahead and the possibility to see the match out. But, the dessert for this meal was yet to be served.
After a bit of back and forth, and then some persistent probing by the AFC Ohio midfield, the match went into the minimum three minutes of added time in the second half. Then, Depperschmidt received a ball just inside the attacking third and fed it to Brenden French who had the time and opportunity to cross in a low ball into the penalty area that Harsch received and laced with the outside of his boot into the right-side netting, setting off a fanatical touchline celebration from the home side.
“We never thought we were out of the match and never doubted our guys being able to get back in the match and to get it over the line,” said Harsch following the match. “Just feels incredible to finish the opportunity the guys presented. A total team effort from all of us.”
Ambassadors will travel will travel in the midweek to George Finnie Stadium on the campus of Baldwin Wallace University to take on regional rival Cleveland SC in a 7:00 pm EDT matchup.
Photo Credit: Sheila Mathers/Ambassadors FC Ohio
