GAME SUMMARY:
On a historic day for Twin Ports soccer, Superior City FC kicked off the 2023 season with a 3-1 win over Eau Claire-based Bateaux FC on Saturday. The game started with a bang, with Arseno Hamilton pick-pocketing a defender and blasting the ball into the upper corner for SCFC's first ever goal in the 1st minute, unassisted. The game continued with back and forth action, and a long ball from Bateaux's defense led to a scramble and breakaway for David Drafton, who calmly beat the keeper to tie the game up. After the tie, the game slowed down and both teams looked anxious as they attempted to find their rhythm. A breakthrough for Superior came in the 23rd minute, when Hamilton notched his brace on a nice free kick slotted in the upper half of the net. This shifted the pace of play, with Superior spending most of the remaining time in Bateaux's half but unable to find the next goal. Superior's Drogba Mvogo was given a yellow card in the 45' after colliding with Bateaux's keeper, Aaron Brotzman.
The second half of the friendly saw a second-string Superior City squad, as well as substitutions for Bateaux throughout the half. Superior dominated the majority of the half, and the physicality of the game picked up. After continued pressure, Superior finally found the net again in the 79th minute. Brandon Wright drove the ball up the wing and got a ball across to Henrico Zena, who took a nice touch and slotted the ball past Brotzman. The end of the game saw even more chances for the visiting team, with Mark Fehringer smacking the crossbar, but the only action on the scoresheet was a yellow card on Fehringer in the 86th minute. Superior City outshot Bateaux 10-5 in the match.
"The game started out pretty slow but I felt that we eased into the game as the half progressed. A lot of time was spent in the attacking third at the end of the first half and through the majority of the second half. Our second squad looked good for the last 45, I was especially happy with the movement from the midfield. There's a lot to be worked on but have a full week of practice before we open up the UPSL season in the Cities next weekend. We'll be ready." - SCFC Head Coach Otto Berti
BOX SCORE:
4-22/Regis High School/Friendly
Superior City FC......................................2 1 - 3
Bateaux FC...............................................1 0 - 1
First Half - SCFC - Arseno Hamilton (Unassisted) 1'; BFC - David Drafton (David Ripplinger) 5'; SCFC - Arseno Hamilton (Unassisted) 23'
Second Half - SCFC - Henrico Zena (Brandon Wright) 79'
Saves: SCFC - Dru Senich (3 saves), Walker Marquardt (1 save); BFC - Aaron Brotzman (7 saves)
LOOKING AHEAD:
Superior City FC open their UPSL Premier season next weekend as they take on Twin City FC. The match will be at Spring Lake Park High School in Spring Lake Park, MN on Sunday, April 30th, with the kickoff scheduled for 7:00 PM.