10 Apr Match Recap – ASC Defeats Riverside Coras 2-0
April 7th, 2018, San Diego, CA — Mission Bay Stadium was back in business with another ASC San Diego performance hosting Riverside Coras FC. After a one week hiatus, ASC was raring to get back on the field to face their next opponent, and they met a tough one in Coras. It was a scrappy, action packed evening that could’ve gone either way if not for the attacking prowess of San Diego’s team, and a handful of stellar saves by ASC keeper, Jean Antoine.
With both teams looking for their first win of the season, the pace of play was fast, but controlled – with neither team wanting to make unforced mistakes and give up possession. ASC got the first real opportunity in the 6th minute, when Matt Clare received the ball atop Cora’s defensive 3rd, and played a great cross to Garrett Heine, sprinting hard up the right size. Heine played the ball across the 6 yard box to Sean Callahan, who forced an amazing goal-line save from Coras’ keeper.
Clare, Heine, and Callahan continued to press their attack, but the score remained deadlocked until the trio again broke through in minute 21. Michael Turner started the action, with a leaping header to intercept a Coras throw in, deflecting it over to Callahan. Callahan passed to Clare, who gave it right back. Callahan made a quick move towards the goalie, before passing the ball across to Heine, who buried it deep in the Coras net with ease.
Throughout the rest of the first half, ASC kept up their high press, restricting Coras into their defensive 3rd. The pressure forced a lot of interceptions and created chances going forward, but a stout Coras defense stymied the attack, and thea teams went into halftime, with the score 1-0 ASC.
The second half started out scrappy, with both teams fighting hard, and drawing fouls. ASC eventually settled, and their passing became rhythmic, connecting well in the middle, and threatening often, with solid runs downfield. Their insurance goal finally came in the 52nd minute when Michael Turner found space down the left side of the field, and played a picture-perfect cross into Sean Callahan, who finished decisively.
Coras gained the advantage late, via an Aleks Berkolds red card in minute 56. Tripping up Coras midfielder Romario Lomeli, who’d gained the advantage, and threatened from the top of the box.
Down a man with 30 minutes left to play, ASC was forced into a strict defensive posture. Coras took advantage of the extra player and began with a high press of their own, creating chances and taking control of the game. Goalkeeper Jean Antoine came up big for ASC, making save after save to keep a clean sheet, and ensure San Diego 3 points. In the end, ASC notched their first win of the season, defeating Riverside 2-0, securing 2nd place in the division, behind the 2-0 FC Golden State
“It’s part of the process for us. We expect to win when we step on the field,” ASC head coach Ziggy Korytoski explained expectations going forward, “We have a very talented team this year, and we know we have a target on our back.”
Please join us this coming weekend, when ASC San Diego takes on the 4th place Oxnard Guerreros, coming into the game with a record of 1-1. The match kicks off on Saturday, April 14th at 5 p.m. at Mission Bay Stadium. Proceeds from the event go to benefit the San Diego Chapter of The Surfrider Foundation.
