Jackson Lions FC Defeats Philadelphia Union DS 4-3
By Jacob Kassenoff/Jackson Lions FC
Jackson Lions FC faced the Philadelphia Union Developmental Squad on Saturday, June 8 at Donovan Catholic HS. A sunny day with a back-and-forth game accounted for seven combined goals.
After Philadelphia kicked off, they looked to benefit off of early wing play and retaining possession. A potentially threatening shot from the Union landed in the arms of Lions goalkeeper Rafa Ponce de Leon.
David Nigro had a shot deflected out for a corner in the seventh minute, which led to a header that powerfully flew just over the crossbar.
The Union employed more possession-based tactics. Consequently, Nigro put pressure on Philadelphia, leading to a Jacob Rubinstein goal in the 16th minute. This gave Jackson an early 1-0 lead.
Yet the first half action was not over as the Union’s attack was squandered as Joey Zalinsky made a crucial tackle on the wing. It was also Zalinsky who landed the game’s first yellow card in the 34th minute. In the 41st minute it looked like the Lions could go up 2-0 at half, but it was promptly called offside.
The whistle was blown quickly after the first 45 minutes, leaving the score 1-0 with Rubinstein the only name on the scoresheet.
The second half started with 15 minutes of nonstop action. In the 52nd minute a penalty was given to Philadelphia on the corner of the box, and Jack Andrus converted the penalty to tie the game up at 1-1. Yet the score wouldn’t stay that way for long.
The Lions got a goal back in the 55th minute. Nigro placed the ball into the bottom right corner, making the score 2-1. Soon after, a rebound gave Andrus a second goal, bringing the game even at 2-2.
Two minutes later a Lions free kick pinballed in the box and ended up in the back of the net via Aidan Tisony. With the goalkeeper high up, Rubinstein touched the ball past the goalkeeper, and the fans watch the ball roll in for a Lions goal in the 59th minute. It was now a 4-2 advantage for the Lions, and an astonishing five goals were scored in a 15-minute span.
Three minutes after Rubinstein was subbed off, Lions keeper Ponce de Leon was shown a yellow card, and Andrus scored his third goal of the night to make it 4-3.
The match ended with that same 4-3 scoreline after a few substitutions and free kicks for each squad. Now armed with the momentum of a big win, the Lions will take on FC Motown at Drew University’s Ranger Stadium on June 16th at 6:00 pm.
Photo Credit: Tyler Andreas/Jackson Lions FC
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