The FC Steel ’06 Boys Black team defeated West-Mont to advance in the 2018 State Cup tournament.
Saturday afternoon brought sunshine, much anticipated seasonable temperatures and the West-Mont United Soccer Association to the Penn State Lehigh Valley campus for a State Cup showdown with the FC Steel ’06 Boys.
What started as a great day, ended as a great day for the the hometown boys in orange. FC Steel defeated West-Mont, who is out of the Royersford/Collegeville area and plays in the Atlantic Premier League (APL), by a 3-2 score. The APL claims to be the home of the most competitive club soccer teams from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland. FC Steel proved they belong.
Quinn Erb of FC Steel traps the ball against West-Mont in the State Cup tournament.
It looked as if Steel controlled the game from the start, but it was West-Mont who got on the scoreboard first at the 18:03 mark. One of West-Mont’s forwards corralled a loose ball in traffic just inside the eighteen and fired a shot that just beat FC Steel goal-keeper Shane Brobst.
Three minutes later, however, the Steelers tied the game on a rebound following a corner-kick. Tanner Riefenstahl from his left outside-back position climbed into the box as Sebastian Melo hit the ball into play from the corner. As the ball was deflected away from a scrum in front of the net and toward the top of the box, Riefenstahl fired it into the lower left corner of the goal frame. Steel’s goal came at 22:27 and the 1-1 score held until time expired in the first of two 30 minute halves.
Luke Blenis (11) of FC Steel trying to thread the needle in State Cup play.
The second half started a little rough for FC Steel as they were called for a hand-ball in the box. Awarded a penalty shot where the foul took place, West-Mont was able to convert. Only 3:40 into the second half West-Mont led 2-1.
FC Steel was able to bounce right back about a minute later on another corner-kick. It started as a set piece where Logan Trash played it short to Steel teammate Sebastian Melo. Melo air-mailed the ball center-frame about six yards out where a West-Mont defender headed the ball high into the air to about the twelve yard-line. FC Steel’s Tanner Riefenstahl, who was crashing, one-timed it directly out of the air and just under the goalpost for the score. About five minutes into the second half, the score was knotted 2-2.
FC Steel’s Logan Thrash (29) makes good on a penalty kick.
There were not a whole lot of chances over the next three minutes, but at 8:13 FC Steel’s Quinn Erb was fouled as he was tripped by a West-Mont defender inside the eighteen yard line. Because the foul occurred in the box a penalty-kick was awarded. FC Steel Coach, Ray Canevari called on Logan Thrash for the PK and he did not disappoint. Thrash sent a laser, high and right past the keeper, to the back of the net for the score. With a little over twenty minutes remaining FC Steel claimed a 3-2 lead.
Sebastian Melo (10) of FC Steel strikes the ball off a free kick into the box.
Defense was the name of the game for the remainder of the contest. Neither team could capitalize on any of their chances. FC Steel goal-keeper, Shane Brobst, made a handful of outstanding saves down the stretch and sealed the 3-2 State Cup victory for the Steelers.
UP NEXT: The FC Steel ’06 Boys will stay sharp with a few practices and CRUSA “Rock League” action on Sundays. No doubt, however, they are looking forward to May 5th when they will compete in their State Cup Quarterfinal contest. Steel’s opponent is yet to be determined but the hunch is it will be VE Kanoniere out of the Warminster, PA area. Stay tuned!
Good Luck Steel, the Source is with you!
