Celebrating a new sponsorship with Apache Rental Group and Coach Billy Alarcon's 29th birthday, the Angel City FC over-30s squad came ready to battle mid-table rivals Celtic FC Tuesday night at Crossroads.
And despite dropping an early 1-0 lead three minutes in off a quick break, the team put on an inspired showing throughout the match with crisp passing sequences through the forwards and a tighter defensive formation as the game went on. Freddie DeLeon had several opportunities in the box, using his deft touch and quick speed to outsmart the Celtic defenders.
The back line lost sweeper Kirby Adams midway through the half to an ankle turn while "Steamboat" was blocking a shot about 30 yards out. But Dan Klein stepped into the role nicely, keeping the defence centered. Keeper Peter Marlenga was again strong between the posts, fending off several airborne crosses through a crowd of large Celtic strikers.
David Woirhaye finally converted a Craig Blois play in the box at the 36-minute mark to tie the match 1-1 at the half, much to the joy of the large contingent of ACFC fans on hand to boost spirits, a group which included a quickly recovering Tom Bry.
The second half saw Celtic FC again take the lead with a shot at the 55-minute mark. But ACFC battled back with midfield standouts Matt Onheiber, Craig Blois, Ben Kull and Greg Medzger all containing counterattacks in the Celtic end.
ACFC lost a second defender to injury about 15-minutes in, when Blake Nickle was forced to retire with chest pains after a collision near the ACFC goal ... he has since been diagnosed with a cracked vertebrae and possibly three cracked ribs and is expected to be out for an undetermined period of time to recover.
The back line was then changed a second time to Leo Wallach, Brian Moore, Rahoul Ghose and Dan Klein.
The final minutes of the second half saw end-to-end action, with ACFC chances and serious saves made by Marlenga at the home end.
Ben O'Meara notched the tying goal off a David Woirhaye run at 85 minutes to earn the point. But either team could have taken the win.
ACFC next see action the Saturday at Crossroads against longtime rivals Matador FC with a 6 PM kickoff.
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