Men's First Team Falls to Michigan Rangers 2-0

The Men's First Team's USASA Amateur Cup run was cut short Sunday night after losing to Michigan Rangers FC on the road 2-0 at Farmers Insurance Athletic Complex in Caledonia, Michigan. After an impressive 5-0 win against SAC Wisla Chicago the week prior, the Rooks fell short against Rangers, with the Edgewater players unable to respond to the consistent offensive press of Rangers' squad.

GOALS:

Rangers 5', 68'

Shortly after kickoff, Rangers set the scene with an early goal in the 5th minute. Pressing up in the Rooks' own third, a Rangers player was able to beat ECFC keeper Joey Galante by juking him on the right and sending the ball diagonally left away from his reach.

Despite the initial set back, the Rooks tried to come back through various chances of their own. After letting in the initial goal, the Rooks were able to muster some offensive plays of their own with Bardia Kimiavi and Enzo Dagatti both having multiple shots on goal in the first half. Even with the Rooks pressing up, they were unable to phase Rangers' goalkeeper, with each shot either being blocked by the keeper or sent skyward.

The Rooks' back line, led by Quinten "Q" Benedetto and Tobias Wimmer, kept the Rooks in the game by preventing Rangers from extending their lead with precise tackling and clearances. Rangers would continue the pressure with multiple freekicks and corners into the dying embers of the first 45, but Benedetto and Wimmer brought the physicality needed to prevent Rangers' crosses in from doing further harm. Goalkeeper Joey Galante also was steadfast, blocking multiple shots on goal.

ECFC started the second half strong, maintaining consistent possession and producing multiple opportunites up front. However, Rangers were also strong, and they drew a penalty in the 68th minute in front of the Rooks' goal while pressing forwards on the left wing. Their penalty taker sent Galante in the wrong direction in his wind up, making him able to score by slotting the ball in the bottom left corner.

Following the penalty kick, the Rooks' momentum ran dry. Multiple crosses into the Rangers' box occurred, but Rooks' players were not there in time to make efforts on goal. This led to much frustration on the pitch, with multiple defenders drawing yellows for physical play and "Q" Benedetto being shown a red card in the 97th minute to cap off the match after drawing two yellows, one for a late tackle and another for taunting following such.

While the result was not what the Men's First Team were looking for, they now move forwards into their Midwest Premier League Heartland Division II season with optimism.

"We're going to take this [loss] as a learning experience and move forward from there," Men's First Team assistant coach Sami Ismat said after the game.

The Men's First Team are set to start their regular season away at Slammers Stadium in Joliet, Illinois against Steel City FC on May 28th.