Last week River Light FC had two of their toughest tests yet, facing St.Charles FC and Peoria CIty back-to-back. Stealing a point from St.Charles, the Lights dropped their first game of the season to Peoria City.
Against St.Charles:
River Light traveled down to Missouri for a rematch against St.Charles FC, and despite trailing by two in the 84th minute, the Lights were able to salvage a point thanks to two goals from Merek Gonda.
Going down by two after a first half penalty and a pass behind the River Light back line, the lights brought one back from a corner kick. After being headed in the penalty area, Axel Alejandre was served a nice short pass which he slammed past the St.Charles keeper in the second half.
Just a minute later, St.Charles continued to look dangerous, forcing Gandhi Cruz to make a great short range save. After a water break, St.Charles found their third of the game, leaving River Light with 15 minutes to reverse the scoreline.
Off the bench, James Lynch curled a free kick towards the head of Gonda to bring the game within one for River Light with five minutes left in regulation. In stoppage time, Lynch waited on the wing for the right pass in order to take a chance and cross it to Gonda who barely had to jump to divert the ball into the back of the net for the 3-3 draw.
Against Peoria City:
River Light’s journey didn’t stop in Missouri as they went down to Central Illinois to face off against a ranked Peoria City. Despite striking in the first half, the Lights came up short as they dropped their first match of the season 2-1 at Shea Stadium.
Behind the sticks for River Light against an undefeated Peoria City was Owen Cornell, who was vital to the Lights success in the first half.
Despite the Carp producing a lot of attacking opportunities, River Light scored the first in the 19th minute, with a great display of teamwork. Starting in the middle of the field, 10 passes made it from the Lights backline as Micheal Rossi got on the end of a pass chipped inside for his first of the season.
Shortly after, Cornell came up big for River Light making a great save off a headed attempt from a Peoria City corner in the 27th minute.
After ten minutes of the second half, Peoria City found the leveling goal from a corner and quickly produced their second goal after a steal in the River Light backline was put away by the Carp.
Down by one in stoppage time, River Light had an opportunity to get their second after Logan Finnegan was taken down in the penalty area and the Lights were awarded a penalty kick in the dying moments of the game.
Going up to the spot was Luke Van Heukelum, who looked to come to the rescue yet again. Releasing a strong shot to his right, he was denied by the Carp keeper, however, the Peoria City captain was still in the penalty area and the official ruled for the action to be repeated.
With another chance to level the game, this time Van Heukelum chose left, but was unsuccessful as the Peoria keeper blocked his chance again. River Light ended on the losing end for the first time this season, dropping the contest down in Central Illinois.
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