2-2 Draw for AC Newport and Santa Cruz FC
By Anna Downes/AC Newport
AC Newport met Santa Cruz FC for their second matchup in just a few days. Following their last game on June 20, resulting in a 2-1 win for Santa Cruz FC, AC Newport was eager to turn the tables and Santa Cruz FC came to Toppa Field in Newport, Rhode Island to defend their previous win. Neither team achieved nor failed in their goals, as the match ended in a nail-biting 2-2 draw.
AC Newport’s Brett Schwab started the action with a goal in the 9th minute. Schwab and the AC Newport team dedicated this first goal to a twelve-year-old boy from Portsmouth, Rhode Island, named Owen Biestek, who was recently diagnosed with a rare form of liver cancer called Fibrolamella Carcinoma (FLC). The entire AC Newport community is raising awareness and support for Owen, and the team was thrilled to score for him tonight.
However, their lead did not last long, as Santa Cruz FC’s Chance Prouty put the ball in the back of the net a few moments later in the 14th minute. Determined to keep the game at a tie, AC Newport center midfielder Connor Frogberg was playing tough defense in his team’s defensive third when he was pushed down in the box in the 19th minute. One of Santa Cruz FC’s attackers ran through the play and tripped on Froberg in the box.
The referee called a penalty kick for Santa Cruz FC. Pedro Baisch put the ball in the back of the net, giving Santa Cruz FC the 2-1 lead. Both teams continued to battle at the end of the first half, with Santa Cruz FC drawing two yellow cards in heated play.
AC Newport dominated the second half, with multiple chances on goal that either went just wide of the frame or were well saved by Santa Cruz FC keeper Eric Widrick. Newport showed their desire to win and get shots off in the final third, and after many missed chances, Evan Conceicao found the back of the net with a well-struck shot in the 75th minute.
AC Newport continued to fire shots at Widrick by the end of the second half. Santa Cruz got the ball in AC Newport’s half and gave the fans a scare a few times, but both teams defended well, determined to allow no more goals but intent on finding the back of the net.
“What an amazing night,” said AC Newport head coach Ziggy Korytoski. “We saw a team that really fought.”
Photo Credit: Bridgette Tolland/AC Newport
