FC Monmouth Scrap Out Win Against Atlantic City FC
Written By James Davis
FC Monmouth headed down to Stockton University in an unconventional Monday night NPSL matchup with Atlantic City FC. The Aces boasted a great crowd and were accompanied by beautiful Jersey Shore weather on the night.
FC Monmouth started out slow against an Atlantic City high press right off the bat. Struggling to get on the ball and often losing possession to the Aces. Atlantic City claimed the better of the chances in the first 30 minutes. Then topped off by a goal in the 32nd minute scored by Uche Wokocha. Left unmarked at the 6 yard box off of a corner kick on the left flank, Wokocha smashed the ball into the upper left netting.
FC Monmouth head coach John Killick knew changes needed to be made. “We needed to adjust, we had to contain their midfield better and get our guys up top working harder. Once we got that we were able to get the goal we needed.”
A goal they indeed got. One minute into stoppage time Chilean standout Andrew Araya served the ball into the box from roughly thirty five yards out. Following an Atlantic City clearance Davide Caputo of Rowan University back healed the ball at the top of the 18 yard box to fellow Rowan midfielder Jake Homowitz. A smashed half volley was deflected to the foot of FC Monmouth captain and fellow Rowan starlet Mason Martelloni, who slotted the ball into the upper left corner to even the score just before the half.
“It was great to see Mason [Martelloni] get his first goal for the club. He’s been our longest tenured player over the past three seasons and he’s taken strides stepping up to be our captain this year.” FC Monmouth head coach John Killick explained.
This matchup between Atlantic City and FC Monmouth was hard fought between friends and foes. The matchup featured 11 NJAC players, specifically 8 players from Rowan University between the sides.
Two NJAC players made the difference in the second half. In the 75th minute second half substitute Andre Shelton of Montclair State won the ball on the left flank for FC Monmouth. A couple touches down the line and a quick pass to his teammate of Rowan Davide Caputo took a quick touch followed by a sliding finish into the back of the net to take the lead at 2-1.
The last fifteen minutes were full of Atlantic City sending numbers forward, but with no luck FC Monmouth held on for the victory down south.
Head coach John Killick was very pleased with the result. He stated “Atlantic City was very organized, early on it was very even, once we adjusted in the second half we were able to capitalize on our plan a lot better. I thought our subs were a lot more prepared than they have been in the past and that was an improvement that I was happy to see.”
FC Monmouth are slated for a memorial day weekend road trip up to FC Motown this Saturday at Montclair State University. Currently sat in first and second in the Keystone East conference, this matchup between Motown and Monmouth will have a ton of firepower in store between both rosters.