Stockade scores impressive victory
Kingston edges Boston City in 1st-place clash in front of nearly 1,000 fans at Dietz Stadium
Nearly 1,000 fans watched Kingston Stockade FC defeat Boston City FC 2-1 on Saturday at Dietz Stadium to remain in first place in the National Premier Soccer League’s Atlantic White Conference.
“I’m really happy for the team. They all came out and played exceptionally well,” Stockade coach David Lindholm said.
Lindholm noted it’s better that the victory, which lifted Kingston to 5-1-1 on the season, came against a Boston City FC squad that’s been a thorn in the Stockade’s side since last year. With the loss, Boston falls to (3-1-1).
“To have a top-of-the-table clash where you’re playing for first place and able to come away with a win, it feels great and the guys should be really proud of what they put in,” Lindholm said.
Kingston got several looks at the goals in the first half, pushing hard after the 30th minute, but couldn’t find the net until the 44th minute when Matt Koziol stuffed a penalty kick between the posts to give the Kingston a 1-0 lead at the half.
Boston threatened early in the second half with Camilo Estrada having a clear shot at the goal, with his shot sailing over the crossbars.
The Stockade regained some traction, setting the table for Pedro Espindola’s majestic kick from near midfield that sailed past Boston City FC goalkeeper Michael Russo-Penta and into the net to give Kingston the 2-0 lead.
Boston would make another big push in the final minutes of the match with Leonardo Calvalho putting one between the posts in the 81st minute to round the scoring, less than one minute after Stockade goalkeeper Steve Skonieczny had made another save.
Play got physical with Boston City FC’s Luca Tarable receiving a yellow card in the 84th minute, and Jadson Leite also seeing yellow one minute later.
As regulation drew to a close, Kingston’s Mikey Lanzetta rallied the announced home crowd of 992 — that nearly filled the grandstand — to a loud roar. But Boston refused to go down without a fight in extra time, keeping the ball on Kingston’s side of the pitch for much of the time and getting several attempts on goal including a shot that went wide left with less than a minute remaining.
Lindholm wasn’t surprised about City FC’s late push. “They have dangerous players that can strike at any time, so it’s a huge credit to our defenders and our team for staying focused for 90 minutes, because if you let your guard down those guys can score goals,” Lindholm said. “They got one at the end and made it a little nervous, but we held firm and go the win.”
Espindola said he was happy to get that second goal that seemed imperative to Kingston walking away with a win and first place in the division.
He added he wasn’t phased by Boston putting one on the board with less than 10 minutes left in regulation.
“I’m happy we can trust our defense and goalkeeper,” Espindola said.
Stockade chairman Dennis Crowley said Saturday’s win was probably the best moment his club has had so far.
“We’re playing phenomenal. We’re hopeful we keep it up,” Crowley said.
And he was even more excited to see it happen in front of a crowd that topped last year’s record of 952 that came to see Kingston’s final match of the season. Crowley noted Stockade won’t have it easy when it travels next Saturday to face a Brooklyn Italians club that is among the league’s best teams.