Written by: Edwin Pintor

 

October 7, 2021 (Boyds, MD) – A tough loss for the Maryland Bobcats against the Michigan Stars, who took advantage of their only shot at goal to give them their first victory in club history against the Bobcats. A game dominated by the Bobcats who were unable to finish their plays led to another loss at home after obtaining a point against Detroit City FC last Saturday. Although the Bobcats had a first half for the books, the penalty scored by the Stars allowed them to take control of the second-half tempo. 

 

On Wednesday, the Michigan Stars returned to their winning ways after a loss to New Amsterdam at home 1-4. The Stars took business at the Maryland SoccerPlex after a solitary penalty kick scored by Kyle Nuel in the 40th minute of the first half. 

 

The home team came out firing on all cylinders. Although the Stars had little to no possession with the ball in the first twenty minutes of the match, a shot from captain Kay Banjo was blocked by the star’s keeper Mkuruva in the 10th minute. Two minutes later, following a corner kick, the rebound found Josselin Possian right outside the box, and Possian did not hesitate to hit his shot, but the goal post did not allow the ball to go in. After that, the Bobcats had precise control of the game with the possession and opportunities going their way. However, no goal was scored. In the 20th minute, Tunde Akinlosotu shot from outside the box but was saved by Mkuruva, and the ball hit the goal post to deny the Bobcats another chance of a goal. 

 

Unlucky plays for the Bobcats had the encounter still 0-0, the plays continued to come, but the final touch had the Bobcats losing any opportunity toward the goal. The Bobcats looked refreshed, and their mentality had changed as the players felt comfortable taking shots from outside the box, and that is where the Bobcats caused a lot of danger to the away side. The Stars found a counterattack opportunity as the game continued, and the Bobcat defender came in a little too late to the ball. The referee called a penalty for the away side. Kyle Nuel shot the ball that Joel Isyaq almost saved as he knew where the ball was going. However, the kick was shot with power, and Isyaq was unable to save the kick.

 

The second half started with three substitutions from the Bobcats, Adam Yingling, Khalid Balogun, and Javon Dawkins came in for Tunde Akinlosotu, Taylor Gray, and Richard Forka. Again, an on and off game as the visiting team set the match’s tempo that was not favoriting the home side. Both teams created some decent chances, but no real danger for neither keeper throughout the second half. As the game continued, both teams were looking for a goal, the Bobcats needed the goal to get back into this game, and the Stars wanted a goal to finish the Bobcats off. A one-to-one situation found Andres Chalbaud in the 70th minute but could not finish it off as the defense was able to recover on time. Two more substitutes from the Bobcats as Samuel Kahsai and Molley Karpeh Jr. came in for Pilawe Pato and Kay Banjo in the 80th minute; Coach Sam Okpodu made it clear he was putting all his cards on the table, going all in to find the much-needed goal.

 

Unfortunately, the Bobcats could not find the goal they needed as the game came to an end. Nevertheless, the Michigan Stars obtained a significant win, a first win, as this was the first time the Stars were able to win against the Maryland Bobcats. Now, winless in five games, the Bobcats must find the way to earn points to finish in the highest possible position in the league.

 

Now 2-3-6 in the season, the Maryland Bobcats will travel to Hempstead, New York, to face New Amsterdam FC next Saturday, October 9, in NISA’s match of the week televised nationally on BEIN Sports Xtra. The kickoff is set for 7 pm EST.

 

 

Maryland Bobcats: Isyaq (GK); Moussi, Fane, Dengler, Forka (Dawkins 46’); Possian, Kao (C), Pato (Kahsai 80’), Akinlosotu (Balogun 46’), Banjo (C) (Karpeh Jr. 80’), Gray (Yingling 46’) 

Subs: Olofinsua, Kahsai, Ogletree, Karpeh Jr., Yingling, Balogun

Goals: NA

Bookings: Dawkins (55’)

 

Michigan Stars FC: Mkuruva (GK); Elgin, Chalbaud, Espinoza, Amoo-Mensah; Juncaj, Suchecki, Frank; Nuel, Satrustegui, Maric

Subs: Bledsoe (GK), Lobsiger, Juncaj, Aidoo, Tran, Reynolds

Goals: Nuel (40’)

Bookings: Chalbaud (73’), Amoo-Mensah (74’), Frank (65’)