Union Gets First Season Win At Home

ROCHESTER, N.Y.(Written by Michael Lewis, Front Row Soccer) -- There were plenty of firsts for the Flower City Union on Saturday night. The hosts scored their first goal at home this National Independent Soccer Association season at the Rochester Community Sports Complex.

They led for the first time this season.

They scored multiple goals for the first time.

They also registered their first clean sheet.

And most importantly, Flower City Union won its first game of the campaign, a 2-0 victory over Gold Star FC Detroit.

Luke Ferreira recorded one goal and assisted on another. Matt Bolduc tallied the first goal for Flower City (1-5, 3 points) as Gold Star (6) dropped to 2-5. Goalkeeper Michael Mejia, helped by some solid team defense, recorded the shutout in a physical match that saw eight yellow cards handed out.

After the visitors had a close encounter in the opening five minutes, Flower City had an excellent chance to take the lead as Stephen Elias, alone at the far-left post, sent a right-wing cross just wide in the 25th minute. He then was fouled by U.S. Virgin Island international goalkeeper Dylan Ramos, who was awarded a yellow card in his first start for the club.

Flower City found the net after a nice run on the right flank by Matt Bolduc in the 33rd minute, after taking a pass from Ferreira. Just before he reached the penalty area, Bolduc fired a bullet into the upper left side, giving the hosts a 1-0 advantage.

Ten minutes later, they had a great opportunity to double their lead as Ferreira was taken down by defender Tekodah Losbiger in the right corner of the box as Flower City was awarded a penalty kick.

Elias, however, sent his shot over the crossbar.

Frederick Opuku set up the second goal with an interception, although he did not receive an assist as he was fouled just outside the penalty area by Kwabena Boateng. On the ensuing free kick, Ferreira placed it just right, into the upper right corner of the net, well out of Ramos' reach in the 53rd minute.

Gold Star came close to slicing the lead in half in the 68th minute, as Junior Rosero, the team’s leading scorer (3 goals, 3 assists), rifled a shot from the left that went into the side netting.

Bolduc almost got a brace as Ramos dove to his right and just stopped the shot from going over the goal line in the 77th minute.

Three minutes into stoppage time, Ferreira came close to getting a brace as well as he sent his 19-yard free kick inches wide left of the net.