FALCONS FIGHT BACK TO EARN DRAMATIC DRAW IN SEASON OPENER

It was a perfect day of weather on a Thursday afternoon for the Forcey Falcon season opener, and the defending Maryland Independent Athletic Conference East Division champions were eager to begin their fall campaign. The Falcons welcomed Mount Airy to Martin Luther King Park, and the Lions came in confident after their tie against Forcey last October made them the only team not to lose to Forcey in the regular season. And the Lions roared early, keeping the pressure on Forcey in the first five minutes. In the fifth minute, a Mount Airy cross in front of the goal deflected off a Forcey defender and into the net to give the Lions a 1-0 lead. Fifteen minutes later, the Lions struck again with a nice shot from the top of the box that found the side of the net. Mount Airy took a 2-0 lead into halftime, but Forcey had plenty to be proud about in the first half. Their success in the passing game gave them confidence they could come back in the final frame.

The Falcons started the second half determined to get a goal, and they began to dominate the possession. In the 35th minute, Nahom Ayalew ran onto a beautiful through ball from Harrison Duran, found himself alone against a charging keeper, and calmly guided the ball into the net for Forcey’s first goal of the season. Forcey then had plenty of chances to tie the game, with both Ayalew and Duran blasting multiple shots over the bar. Falcon veteran Jaydis Moreno, seventh graders Nahili Kirubel and Aaron Seyoum, and sixth grader Biya Ketema supported the relentless attack. Meanwhile, the Falcons defense stifled any minor Lions’ threat. Third year player Fraol Wakweya led the defensive efforts on the left side, while Brekin Peralta and sixth grader Sem Yosef locked down the middle of the defensive third. Meanwhile, first year player Mathias Darik more than made up for an earlier own goal with one outstanding tackle after another on the right side. And, between the pipes, third year player Ivan Bryan III constantly demonstrated his soccer IQ – along with his skills – as he quarterbacked the Falcons from the rear. Kena Olani, Owen Chew, Noah Lee, and Nebiyou Ermeias also contributed for Forcey in this one.

Finally, with just two minutes remaining, Duran received a ball from Moreno on the left sideline, carried to his right, split a couple defenders as he lined up a shot, a ripped a laser from about 20 yards out that tied the game and sent the Falcons into celebration mode with their fans. The final whistle was likely the only thing stopping the Falcons from getting another, but they were excited for their well-earned tie and will be ready to build upon plenty of lessons from the game.

Forcey will need to rest well over the weekend because they will battle two tough opponents next week. The Falcons will travel to face Annapolis Area Christian School on Tuesday before hosting MIAC rival Covenant Life in a highly anticipated contest on Friday afternoon.

Pastor / Coach Foster
Forcey Bible Church
Forcey Christian School