Men’s First Team Starts USL League 2 Season Hot in 4-2 Victory

Hans Haenicke celebrates his goal with his teammates. Credit: Jacob Darner

CHICAGO - Edgewater Castle FC’s Men’s First Team made a splash in their USL League 2 debut at Winnemac Stadium May 16in their match against the Rockford Raptors, overcoming tense play to secure a 4-2 victory.

GOALS:

EDGEWATER: 

6’ - Hans Haenicke (A Qudus Lawal)

18’ - Darrell Turcios(Penalty)

64’ - Brian Hara (A Hans Haenicke)

82’ - Andrew Sanchez

ROCKFORD:

8’, 49’ - Jake Simson

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First Half

Edgewater Castle fans watch their team face off against Rockford Raptors. Credit: Jacob Darner

With over 450 fans in attendance, the Rooks were energized to start the game on the right foot. After captain Quentin “Q” Benedetto brought the energy during the team-talk prior to kickoff, the Rooks’ offense were soon to build upon the momentum they gained in preseason play.

Hans Haenicke delivers a header into Rockford’s goal. Credit: Jacob Darner

Rushing with the ball forward in the sixth minute, forward Qudus Lawal found his way into the Raptors’ third on the right wing.  Seeing fellow forward Hans Haenicke open in the middle, Lawal crossed the ball left into the box, where Haenicke landed a precise header to get the lead.

Jack McFeely regains control of the ball with a

The Raptors were quick to respond in kind. Keeping track of his wing, defender Lucas Samson made a sliding tackle to prevent a Rockford goal, forcing a corner. Using the opportunity to take the corner short, Rockford’s forward Jake Simson received a cross of his own inside of the box, heading it past goalkeeper Joey Galante into the right corner.

Darrell Turcios prepares to attack in Rockford’s box. Credit: Jacob Darner

Both sides continued to fight for the lead with the match tied at one. Following a corner, the Rooks earned a penalty kick in the 18th minute after a Raptors’ defender drew a handball. Midfielder Darrel Turcios scored on the shot, regaining the lead for ECFC.

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Second Half

Rooks goalkeeper Joey Galante prepares to clear the ball. Credit: James WIlson

 While contesting an early Rockford corner in the 49th minute, midfielder David Schalich roughed a Raptors player in the box, conceding a penalty in the process. Simson secured his second goal  for the day with the opportunity, scoring right as Galante dived in the other direction to tie the game at two.

Brian Hara (center left) taps the ball past Rockford’s keeper. Credit: Jacob Darner

Forward Brian Hara and other Rooks on the offensive side of the ball had near misses in the 55th, 56th and 60th minutes to keep Rockford inside of their third. ECFC broke through shortly in the 64th. Haenicke pressed up the middle and passed to Hara, who tapped the ball past the keeper for the 3-2 lead.

Andrew Sanchez (middle left) celebrates his goal with his teammates. Credit: James Wilson

The Rooks scored again in the 82nd minute. (position) Andrew Sanchez broke free from the midfield and chipped the ball over Rockford’s keeper’s head and into an empty net to seal the 4-2 victory.

A close of of a USL soccer ball on Winnemac Stadium’s pitch. Credit: James WIlson

“It was a great first opener game,” Men’s head coach Duygu Erdoğan said after the match. “It was a really hard time for 1 PM, almost 90 [degrees]. The players gave every for the score. I’m very happy with these three points.”

The Men’s First Team continues the season May 23 against RKC Third Coast. Kickoff at Winnemac Stadium is scheduled for 4 p.m. Streaming is available at edgewatercastlefc.com. Tickets are available for purchase here.