New Jersey Copa FC Draws Clarkstown SC Eagles
New Jersey Copa FC’s men’s side played out a draw versus rival Clarkstown SC Eagles in another weekend of NPSL action. NJCFC will host Buxmont Torch on Saturday as the club prepares for another double header that includes their women’s side.
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NPSL Soccer News: New Jersey Copa FC recorded a 1-1 tie against rival Clarkstown SC Eagles in National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) Northeast Conference Keystone Division action on June 25th at Saint John Vianney High School.
NJCFC (5-1-2, 17 points) maintains a share of first place in the Keystone Division with the West Chester United Soccer Club (5-1-2, 17 points) after they tied 2-2 with third place Buxmont Torch.
Clarkstown (3-2-2, 11 points) outshot NJCFC 22-9, but primarily in the first half when the club recorded a 13-2 shot advantage. The second half saw NJCFC have the more dangerous opportunities. Abdoukarim Danso made five saves for Clarkstown to preserve the 1-1 deadlock.
NJCFC’s left back Daniel Pizzimenti received Jersey Mike’s Subs New Jersey Copa FC Man of the Match for his perfrormance in holding Clarkstown.
“This was a good performance from our team this evening,” said NJCFC associate head coach Billy Englishby. “I thought the guys did a fantastic job with the adjustments dealing with the pressure Clarkstown tried to exert on us. We created several very good chances in the second half and were very unfortunate not to take the lead. Regardless, four points this season against a veteran Clarkstown club is a great accomplishment.”
Clarkstown finally broke through late in the 27th minute when Christopher Katona played a ball up the right sideline to Andres Berriel who finished a shot into the far side netting.
In the 54th minute, Ohio State’s Mike Prosuk swiped the ball from a Clarkstown defender before his 1-v-1 shot was stopped by Danso.
Trailing 1-0 at the half, NJCFC had a slew of dangerous opportunities in the second half before securing the equalizer in the 65th minute. Former Rutgers-Newark All-American Raphael Araujo flicked a pass to Ryan Campbell who sidestepped a defender before sprinting to the goal and beating Danso to the right.
With the game even at 1-1 in the 69th minute, Clarktown’s Maximiliano Garcia settled a cross with his chest and unleashed a one-timer that Perrella stopped. Clarkstown’s Martin Lukaschik was blocked inside the six with a NJCFC team save midway through the 90th minute to see the game end a draw.
NJCFC plays another key divisional match on Saturday, July 1, at 7 p.m. ET when the club hosts Buxmont Torch.
Photo Credit: New Jersey Copa FC
