UCC First Soccer takes opener against Appleby

UCC First Soccer opened their 2018 season on the Oval against the visiting AC squad on a sunny but windy Wednesday afternoon. The boys were eager to avenge a controversial exhibition loss to Appleby at their homecoming.

Unfortunately, instead they had a tough start playing into a strong wind and gave up an early penalty after center-back Ashebir took down an AC attacker in our box. AC went ahead from the PK in the 14^th minute but the Blues woke up and equalized after only 30 seconds with a goal from speedy winger Andrea Tutino. The Blues then went ahead in the 24^th minute when Alex Cinquino converted a rebound after a Blues’ corner.

The lead was erased in the 33^rd minute when AC earned a second PK which was again converted by the Appleby No 10. The Blues however showed great poise and determination and went ahead again immediately within a minute when speedy winger Tutino potted his second of the game.

With the wind at their back in the second half The Blues began to dominate but still had trouble hitting the net until center back Mark Yatchew headed a beautiful free kick from Captain PJ Bujouves to put UCC up by two in the 75^th minute. Cinquinio added his second a minute later and the Blues now had the match firmly in hand. Crafty midfielder Eitan Rosen added the final Blues’ goal in the 80^th minute with the outside of his foot after receiving a nice pass from hardworking winger Justin Kim. Final score UCC 6: AC 2.