By Zander Plizga

Flint, MI – The Men’s First Team’s season ended after it suffered its first loss of the season in a hard-fought 2-1 defeat to Flint City Bucks in the USL 2 Playoffs round of 16. Steel City ended the season with a (10-1-3) record and was among the top defenses in all of USL 2.

Flint round two

Steel City returned to Atwood Stadium to take on the Flint City Bucks for the second-straight season in the USL 2 playoffs. Flint City has gotten the better of both tightly contested matchups.

Photo Cred: Randy Warner

Crushing Counter

Flint City Bucks struck first with a goal in the 30th minute off a quick and efficient counter. In a half where both teams controlled possession and created chances, Flint City found the breakthrough by counter. After winning the ball deep in their own back third, a ball into the midfield and out to the opposite wing broke, sending the Steel City defense scrambling.  Oliver Moller-Jenson picked up the ball just outside the right corner of the box; he cut in onto his left and placed his shot into the near post bottom corner, just past the stretch of Josh Lane (RMU ’27).

The game remained very neutral, with Steel City pushing more for an equalizer; however, Flint City scored yet again on a counter in the 77th minute. Flint won the ball around midfield, and Flint’s outside back quickly drove deep into the SCFC half and slipped in his teammate who made an excellent sliding attempt just beating the sprawling Lane.

Continuing to fight

Steel City remained in possession and continued to push, getting a goal back in the 87th minute off a great team move. Nathan Prex (Lebanon Valley ’26) headed home the move coming off a great cross from Keke Abai (Boston U ’27). Both subs made an immediate impact, creating multiple chances late to bring the score to 2-1.

Photo Cred: Randy Warner

Season recap

This was another historic season for Steel City. In just its second year in the USL 2, Steel City put together an undefeated regular season and won the Great Forest Conference for the second consecutive year. Steel City not only topped its conference, but it also fostered one of the league’s best defenses, allowing just 3 goals in the regular season.  Lane and the Steel City backline also put together 11 clean sheets out of the 15 games played this season and didn’t concede their first goal until after 720 minutes of play. Steel City had 34 different players see time this season, with 11 of them being from its academy, continuing to show its development pathway. Steel City shared the load on the offensive end, seeing 11 different scorers over the campaign.

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