Men’s First Team Cruise Past Erie to Remain Unbeaten

By Zander Plizga

Cheswick, PA – The Men’s First Team moved to 4-0-2 on the season after a 4-0 win over Erie Sports Center Saturday afternoon at Founders Field. Steel City got out to an early lead off the 15-minute brace from Nathan Prex (Lebanon Valley ’26). They didn’t look back from there, keeping up the pressure and controlled possession for the remainder of the game.

Goalkeeper Josh Lane (RMU ’27) and the Steel City backline remain clean. Despite a large majority of possession and few attacking chances from Erie, Lane came up huge with a massive one-on-one save in the 31^st minute off a dangerous Erie counterattack. They remain the only USL 2 team yet to concede a goal and look to continue this streak.

Strikers Mentality

Photo Cred: Jared Todhunter

Prex led the Steel City front line, scoring twice inside the first 15 minutes. The first goal came off a drive and cross from Nick Niebauer (Bellarmine ’30), which found Prex in the box. He then set the ball to Sander Rynning (Georgian Court ’29), whose low shot ricocheted square off the post. Prex was first to the ball and fired a half volley past the goalie, putting Steel City up 1-0 inside the 10^th minute.

Just five minutes later, Prex was back on the score sheet, this time coming off a slip in from Jake Lane (Old Dominion ’27). Lane received the ball on the left with his back to the goal. He turned his defender and dribbled towards the center of the eighteen before slipping in Prex behind the Erie backline, on a ball that split 4 defenders. Prex did the rest and guided his shot into the bottom left corner, to put Steel City up 2-0 inside the 15^th minute.

Photo Cred: Jared Todhunter

Academy Production

Two Steel City FC academy players found their names on the scoresheet today. Niebauuer’s goal came in the 22^nd minute off a great through ball from Prex. Niebauer chased it down inside the six and dinked the ball over the goalie’s outstretched arm, hitting the post and going in. This goal marked Niebauer’s second of the season, as Steel City products continue to provide.

In the second half of action, John Krug (RMU ’29) came on and also found the back of the net. This goal came off a great team move that moved from front to back efficiently. After two separate up-back and throughs, Mathieu Brick (Duquesne ’27) was driving at the Erie midfield. He then played Nick Graeca (John Carroll ’25) in behind the opposing outside back. Graeca muscled off the defender inside the box and chipped the ball over the keeper to the back post, where Krug calmly headed home the final goal.

Up Next

Steel City FC, winners of three consecutive conference championships, return to action on Saturday, June 20, when they travel to InfoCision Stadium to take on Akron City FC. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Saturday’s game will also be broadcast here on SportsEngine.