By Matthew Yoder –
The Nandua Warriors edged the Arcadia Firebirds 2-1 Monday evening in a physical, and at times, testy match on Arcadia’s home pitch.
The tide shifted periodically in the first half, with each squad experiencing moments of offensive pressure. Thirteen minutes in, the balanced seesaw moved in Nandua’s favor after a goal from Hoslerson Joseph. Arcadia leveled the match 11 minutes later after Llilmer Perez found newly inserted striker, Enrry Perez, for a goal. Both teams had more chances in the first half, but ultimately, they remain deadlocked by halftime.
The crescendo of physicality ticked up in the second half, with players being knocked to the grass, and each team losing a participant to a red card. For 26 minutes the tense stalemate persisted, until Joseph found an opportunity to run out on a ball, beating Jenrry Vasquez for the deciding goal. Vasquez was tremendous in goal all night, vocally directing his Firebirds, but Joseph’s speed and size proved too much in the end.
The 2-1 victory keeps the Warriors unbeaten for the season, while the Firebirds suffered their second loss, both to Nandua.
