Piscataway, N.J. – It was an electric start to the season in more ways than one for the Rough Riders men’s team. The Rough Riders scored two goals in 17 minutes on a penalty kick from Tyler Morck and a one-timer from the top of the box from Francesco Tolaba before the match was delayed by lightening. The match resumed about two and the Rough Riders largely controlled the rest of the match to win their first game of the season 2-0 on Wednesday night on the road over NJ Copa FC, with keeper Ethan Wood earning his first clean sheet of the season.
Securing three points in their first game, the Rough Riders are looking repeat the results of last season where they finished first in the Metropolitan Division. The Rough Riders are currently in second place in the Metropolitan Division behind Ironbound SC who have already played two games and have six points. NJ Copa moves to ninth place with this loss.
The Rough Riders put offensive pressure on early on NJ Copa putting shots on net and drawing fouls. This came to fruition early as a tackle in the box led to a penalty kick in the 3rd minute, which was taken and scored by forward Tyler Morck.
Nakai Antoine and Oscar Quinn Pasin kept exerting pressure through quick play and passes the left side, which eventually lead to a goal in the 17th minute. A combination passing play, starting from Antoine to Morck to Pasin, who found an open Francesco Tolaba at the top of the box who buried a one-timer to bring the Rough Rider lead to 2-0.
The weather took a turn for the worse in the 44th minute as a lightening storm passed over the field resulting in a stoppage in play. Play resumed about two hours later and the teams were able to finish the first half.
In the second half, NJ Copa was able to possess the ball more leading to a few shots, but all were relatively harmless. The Rough Riders kept getting opportunities on the counter attack leading to shots from a handful of players including more from Morck and some from substitute Evangelos Chrysostomou.
In the 90th minute, the Rough Riders forced a turnover and sent a long pass to Morck at midfield getting behind the NJ Copa back line. The Rough Riders likely would have scored a third goal on a one-on-one with the keeper by Morck was yanked down from behind just outside the box by NJ Copa defender Petar Petreski, who received a red card for a DOGSO offense. The ensuing free kick taken by Tolaba sailed over the net.
The Rough Riders League 2 men’s team’s next match is their first home game of the season Wednesday, May 27 at 7pm facing off against Staten Island ASC.
Follow the Rough Riders women’s and men’s teams on www.LIRoughRiders.com.