FPR Drops Game in Erie

Typical of a battle between a force on land and on sea the Regiment and Commodores waged a battle using different tactics.  The result was a back and forth one goal match with Erie prevailing.

The Commodores’ Austin Solomon scored the game winner in the 28th minute.  Three FPR defenders failed to close down the threat and Solomon fired a shot from a tight angle past Regiment keeper Brenden Alfery into the far side netting.

Moments earlier FPR’s Colin Wurst poked the ball away from an Erie defender to Edis Merzihic.  The Red Coat’s midfield released a quick shot that just missed the upper 90 of the far post.

Merzihic threatened the Erie goal again in the 41st when his cross was partially deflected forcing Jorge Prendis to make a diving save.  Merzihic took a volley off the rebound that was wide.

Following the halftime break both teams picked up where they left off.  Play going end to end but neither generating a clear chance in the opening minutes.

The clear chance would come in the 53rd when FPR’s Anthony Virgara raced into the Erie area, used spin and nutmeg on an Erie cente rback to confront Prendes 1v1.  The Erie keeper was up to the challenge, stopping the shot and defending the subsequent corner kick.

In the 71st Ezana Kahsay just missed over the bar on a 20-yard shot to the right of the Regiment goal.  The shot would have given Erie the second goal it was seeking.

Virgara’s theatrics weren’t done.  Late in the second half he pushed his way past an Erie defender for a second 1v1 with Prendes.  Prendes stopped the FPR forward a second time but required some treatment before the match could return.  Minutes later Virgara found space in the box to attempt a bicycle kick which was called for dangerous play.

The Regiment fall to 1-2 with an upcoming game at Dayton on Sunday, June 11.  Erie improves to 3-0-1.