By Zander Plizga

Erie, PA – The Men’s First Team moved to (6-0-2) on the season after a solid 3-1 win over Erie Sports Center late Saturday evening. It was Nick Graeca (John Carroll ’25) who made the difference, coming on in the 60th minute and immediately sparking two goals.

This game saw Steel City bring in the most academy and homegrown players of the season, with 8 different players coming from the Steel City Academy, two of whom made their first-team debuts.

On the Front Foot

Steel City FC controlled possession throughout the first half, swinging the ball side to side, trying to break down an Erie low block and back five. Anass Hadran (RMU ’26) was at the center of many SCFC attacks. He registered 3 shots in the first half that demanded good saves from the Erie keeper.

Second Half Stars

Photo Cred: Rocco Donnelly

Graeca and Jake Lane (Old Dominion ’27) came on in the second half and had an immediate impact on the game. Graeca’s first touch of the game was intercepting the opposing six and the slipping Jaxon Ervin (Duquesne ’26) in on goal. Ervin smashed his shot into the bottom left corner, putting Steel City up 1-0 in the 65th minute.

Just two minutes later, Lane’s dynamic movement and pace helped him beat a defender in behind off a ball from Mathieu Brick (Duquesne ’27). Lane dribbled into the box and was tackled from behind, winning SCFC a penalty in the 67th minute. Club captain Graeca stepped up and buried the penalty into the keeper’s left panel through the outstretched glove.

In the dying minutes of the match, Keke Abai (Boston University ’27) won the ball deep in the opposition’s corner, drove into the box, scissored a defender, shifted the ball onto his left foot, and placed his shot into the back post side panel. This match was Keke’s first minutes with the club, and his immediate impact off the bench helped close this match.

Photo Cred: Rocco Donnelly

Academy Centered

Steel City FC started four academy products and had four academy members on the bench. Luke Kost (Geneva ’29) and Nick LoCoco (Geneva ’29) saw their first minutes with the team this season. Both came on late in the second half and got some valuable experience on the pitch. Kost had a scoring opportunity that was sadly called back for offside, despite an amazing back-post finish.

Erie Strike Late

After winning a set piece late in added time, Erie Sports Center smashed a rocket passed the Steel City wall and into the side panel, bringing the final score to 3-1 in favor of Steel City.

Up Next

Steel City FC returns to action on Saturday, June 27, when they head to Buffalo to take on FC Buffalo at Coyer Field on the campus of Buffalo State University. This will mark the end of the 3-match away stretch. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m., and  Saturday’s game will also be broadcast on SportsEngine.

Posted in First Teams and tagged