Nor'easters blank FC Monmouth in season opening friendly at the Beach House
Last year's Team MVP Deri Corfe scores for Ocean City as team prepares with Saturday's USL League Two opener at FA Euro New York
The Ocean City Nor’easters defeated FC Monmouth 2-0 in a preseason friendly on Tuesday night at Carey Stadium ("The Beach House") behind a second half goal from Deri Corfe (Wright State / Chester, England) and an own goal.
With the win, the Nor'easters extend their exhibition game win streak to three games, dating back to last season. The match served as a tune-up for the club's USL League Two season opener, on the road against FA Euro New York on Saturday night.
"The game was a solid start for us," said Nor'easters head coach Kevin Nuss, who was named head coach less than a week ago. "The boys have taken what we've worked on in training and implemented it very well."
The game started off fairly tight knit, as neither side could get anything going offensively. Brandon Smalley (Florida Tech / Bridlington, England) of the Nor’easters had the first shot of the game for either side in the 15th minute.
Ocean City was rewarded with a penalty kick in the 21st minute after a trip in the box. Although, the penalty was saved as the FC Monmouth goalie guessed the correct direction and made the stop.
Ocean City had two corner kicks, while FC Monmouth only had one in the game. Monmouth’s only real chance of the first half came on their lone corner, as the ball just barely snuck by the net and went out of bounds for a goal kick. The first half ended scoreless in what was a battle in the midfield, as well as a wet one, as the rain came pouring down near the end of the half.
Corfe had a excellent chance in front of the net during the early stages of the second half, but the perfect pass was skied over the net.
The Nor’easters would finally break through with FC Monmouth's help in the 50th minute. The visitors played a ball back to the goalkeeper, who was out of position, and the it trickled into the back of their own net. After the opening goal, the game started to open up a bit.
Monmouth had their second corner kick of the game cleared away by the Nor’easters strong back line, which ended up leading to the Nor’easters breaking through with a second goal. Corfe finished the counter attack with an absolute rocket of a shot into the top right corner in the 60th minute.
Corfe’s goal was assisted by Ilias Kosmidis (High Point / Thessaloniki, Greece).
It was a relatively clean and well-played friendly between the two teams with the Nor'easters Carlos Solorio (Eastern Oregon / Los Angeles, CA) picking up the only yellow card of the game in the 74th minute.
This led to a great chance for Monmouth which was smothered by Nor’easters goalkeeper Joseph Boehm (Saint Joseph's / Colleyville, TX).
The Nor’easters would get another great chance in the box that went over the net, making that two opportunities that the Nor’easters could not cash in inside the Monmouth 18. Monmouth’s final chance of the game would come in the 81st minute, as Boehm would smother another shot from deep, giving him three saves on the night.
Boehm received the most action in a game that saw all three of the Nor'easters talented goalkeepers see playing time. Last year's NPSL Goalkeeper of the Year Jan Hoffelner (St. John's / Frankfurt, Germany) started and played about the first third of the match, followed by Keegan Meyer (High Point / Silver Spring, MD) playing the middle third of the match.
Ocean City would end up getting a set piece opportunity in stoppage time, with the shot flying just over the bar.
The final whistle blew and the Nor’easters came out on top 2-0 on a wet night at the Beach House. Corfe was named Man of the Match for his goal and overall presence on the pitch.
The Nor’easters open up the USL League Two season on Saturday, May 18, in Brooklyn with a match against FA Euro New York.
"The next couple days in training will be focused on adding layers to our style of play and preparing for FA Euro," said Nuss. ""FA Euro is a good side and it's important for us to get a good start to the league."
The Nor’easters then have two more road matches against the Long Island Rough Riders (May 22) and Lehigh Valley United (May 29) before returning to the Beach House on June 1 for the home opener against Evergreen FC. All tickets are available for $10. There are also group ticket packages available, as well as birthday party options and free tickets to all soccer coaches. Get all the details here.