LEESBURG, VA – The club’s first team (1-0-0) traveled back home with a 2-0 shutout victory over the Hammers of Evergreen (0-1-0) on Saturday evening in the Mid-Atlantic Division. The victory is the second time in three seasons that the club began the season in Virginia, and obtained the same result respectively.
The team began the contest with five players returning to the first team including Conor McGlynn, Johan Mauritzson, Sunatillo Khusanov, Robi Sillah, and Alexis Santa. The aforementioned Santa began the contest with a wide-open breakaway that was an opportunity spoiled by the opponent’s defender. Multiple chances from both squads came first from midfielder Phillip Atbashyan with the turn of the tenth minute of the first half.
Just a few minutes following the odd man rush from the former NYIT product, Canisius product Fillipo Tamburini was taken down by defender A.J. Sheta that led to a free-kick by former PDL forward Nicolo Baudo, who resumed his USL League Two career last night after a four-year hiatus. Chances continued to come for both squads as Bryant and Stratton’s Babacarr Ceesay came up with a pair of saves to keep the score at nil. Just prior to the first half concluding, defender Tommaso Davico attempted a free kick that sailed directly into the knees of the opposition.
Two moments into the second half, Evergreen made a costly mistake that turned into a visiting team goal for Filippo Tamburini as Alexis Santa stole and passed to the Italian native for the wide-open net. Returning veteran Robi Sillah, and highly touted Gambian native Karamba Janneh were thrown into the limelight that featured a goal from Janneh from the right side of the box in extra time in the second half.
Three yellow cards were issued during the match for Johan Mauritzson, Nicolo Baudo, and Marcus Gabrielli. Highly touted Babacarr Ceesay recorded a shutout during his USL debut.
UP NEXT:
The club’s first team makes their home debut at Poly Prep Country Day School on Tuesday evening, May 14, when Conor McGlynn, Fillipo Tamburini, and Johan Mauritzson welcome the newest club to the Mid-Atlantic Division, “Cedar Stars Rush” for an 8:30 p.m. kickoff. Admission is free.