FC Monmouth Falls to Atlantic City FC 3-1 in Regular Season Finale

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP, NJ – FC Monmouth (3-4-3) was defeated by Atlantic City FC (8-0-2) 3-1 on Wednesday night in the 2021 regular season finale.

Atlantic City FC opened the scoring in the 15th minute on just the second shot of the game for either side. FC Monmouth responded with four-consecutive shots, and was able to find the equalizer in the waning moments of the half. On what was their fourth corner kick of the half, Adrian Barajas was able to score his first of the season off a feed from midfielder Chase Covello.

The home side was able to respond in the second half, as Atlantic City FC regained the lead in the 63rd minute. They were able to add another after the 90th minute, making the final score 3-1 to conclude the 2021 Keystone Conference regular season.

Both clubs will be part of the postseason, which will take place next week. They join West Chester United SC and FC Motown as the four clubs that will compete for the Keystone Conference title.

AT THE MICROPHONE

“I thought we played well. It was unfortunate that we went down 2-1 when we were playing so well, going to goal I thought we had them on the ropes a lot tonight. We got caught up being a little too high with our backline and the restraining line kind of caught us. They were able to get in and put us down 2-1. We had opportunities late in the match, but when we pushed all of our numbers forward they scored in stoppage time.” – Head Coach Brian Woods

“We had a lot of possession in the first half and they started to sit back a lot so it created chances. We were very dangerous on corner kicks because they play zone and then they would hesitate, so we put it in the pockets to find the areas that they didn’t have a lot of guys in. So once we put it in that pocket, guys kind of had to converge and that’s how we created problems. The goalkeeper hesitated, the center-back hesitated. And Adrian [Barajas] was waiting at the back post to knock it in.” – Midfielder Chase Covello on the team’s goal

NOTES AND NUMBERS

Goalkeeper Matt Perrella recorded six saves in the contest, bringing his season total to 35. The club’s all-time record is 40, which was set by Scott Weigel in 2018.

With the goal from Barajas, FC Monmouth defenders now have two goals and two assists for the season as a collective unit.

The playoff appearance for FC Monmouth will be the second in club history (2018).

NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE

FC Monmouth will travel to face West Chester United SC in a Keystone Conference Semifinal matchup on Friday, July 16. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.