INTER CT PLAYER SCORES FIRST EVER USL ACADEMY GOAL
Last night ( May 5th ) Inter Connecticut players participated in the first ever USL Academy League game to be played in the Nation as part of Inter CT’s integration with AC Connecticut’s U19 Academy team.
Oliver Dahlen, scored the first goal after the 30 minute mark from an assist from Max Weiss, another Inter CT player.
Inter CT were well represented in the starting line up with the following Inter CT players starting.
GK - Luca Marinelli - 03
D - Jordan Blunschi - 04
M - Surya Balaji - U19
M - Max Weiss - 04
F - Oliver Dahlen - U19
Other Inter CT Players in the 18 man squad included;
D - Basit Idriss - 04
D - Connor Shea - U19
D - Will Whelan - U19
In a very high tempo game against a well prepared FC Malaga team, The ACC Academy team took advantage of a second goal just before half time.
As expected, FC Malaga came out all guns blazing in the second half. A deflected shot off a free kick brought the home team from upstate New York back into the game. A slight tweak in tactics from the coaching staff which includes Marty Walker as Assistant coach and Leon Othen as Goalkeeper coach ensured that Inter CT players, Basit Idriss & Will Whelan provided defensive cover wide whilst also providing an attacking threat.
The plan worked as Will Whelan worked hard on the left to force a corner. Surya Balaji took the corner only to be headed in directly for Jordan Blunschi and restore the two goal cushion.
Images from the game: https://flickr.com/photos/192737352@N07/sets/72157719162011620
The night proved a great success for Inter CT with the following stats:
First goal in USL Academy - Oliver Dahlen, Inter CT
First assist in USL Academy - Max Weiss, Inter CT
Goals scored by Inter CT players - Oliver Dahlen & Jordan Blunschi
Assist by - Surya Balaji - Inter CT
Starting players - 5 from Inter CT
Number of Inter CT players on the field at one point - 6
Luca Marinelli, who played in goal did his part with a solid performance and 5 saves in the game overall, with one spectacular double save with the score at just 1-0 to deny Malaga a chance of getting back into the game.
Read more about Inter CT’s pathway to pro here.
