Steel City FC come out flying, soar past Niagara 1812, 8-0, to clinch NPSL’s Great Lakes Conference regular season top spot

Photo courtesy Randy Warner

Steel City FC left no doubt by scoring early and often in an 8-0 rout of Niagara 1812 at Founders Field on Saturday afternoon.

With the win, Steel City capped the regular season with a unbeaten record to clinch first place in National Premier Soccer League’s Great Lakes Conference, and will be the number one overall seed in the conference’s upcoming postseason tournament.

“The guys had a really strong training week and I was just so pleased to see us execute today’s match plan with such effectiveness. Our collective was very good today – exactly the type of team spirit that our supporters want and deserve to see,” Dan Brower, Steel City FC’s Head Coach said.

Among the Steel City players contributing to the scoring, included a big day for Nathan Prex (Seneca Valley/Lebanon Valley) picking up a hat trick and an assist, while Anders Bodroy (Kiski Area/Memphis) and Ryan Mertz (Upper St. Clair/Delaware) added two goals each, plus Nick Graeca (Dubois/John Carroll), who wore the captain’s armband for SCFC, opened the scoring in the first half, converting a penalty kick chance.  Assists were also contributed by Justin Kopay (Moon/St. John’s), Ryan Kopay (Moon/Akron), Anthony DiFalco (Franklin Regional/Duquesne), Anass Hadran (Robert Morris), and Patrick Koenig (John Carroll).

“The 2nd half saw much of the same with three well worked goals and some excellent running from the guys,” Brower added.

“It really was a complete team effort today as it has been all season. With consecutive undefeated regular season titles, today marks another milestone for the club and a huge congratulations to our players, staff, owners, fans and everyone behind the scenes who help support our Men’s First Team.”

Brower knows that the biggest challenges lie ahead, as Steel City FC have clinched the top seed, and will open the NPSL’s Great Lakes Conference playoffs on Wednesday (tentative start time 6:30 p.m.), when they’ll host Flower City Union at Founders Field.

“We have much more to do and will be tested mid-week for sure (vs Flower City Union). They’ve picked up points in six of their last eight matches and just had a huge win against Cleveland SC tonight to put them into the playoffs,” Brower stated.

“They are a much different and more confident group than the one we faced at the beginning of the year and will prove to be a very difficult test. I ask that our club’s members show up in full force on Wednesday to support our boys!”

Randy Warner Photo Gallery

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Steel City FC’s Lineup vs Niagara 1812

John Krysinsky has covered soccer and other sports for many years for various publications and media outlets. He is also author of ‘Miracle on the Mon’ — a book about the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, which chronicles the club, particularly the early years of Highmark Stadium with the narrative leading up to and centered around a remarkable match that helped provide a spark for the franchise. John has covered sports for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, DK Pittsburgh Sports, Pittsburgh Sports Report, has served as color commentator on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broadcasts, and worked with OPTA Stats and broadcast teams for US Open Cup and International Champions Cup matches held in the US. Krysinsky also served as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at his alma mater, Point Park University, where he led the Pioneers to the first-ever winning seasons and playoff berths (1996-98); head coach of North Catholic boys (2007-08), associate head coach of Shady Side Academy boys (2009-2014).