Nor'easters fall short of 2015 PDL playoffs after 1-1 draw vs. Jersey Express (VIDEO)
Khesanio Hall scores to finish as Ocean City's top scorer as team ends season on four-game unbeaten streak
The Ocean City Nor’easters earned a result in perhaps the biggest game of the season, tying Jersey Express 1-1 in a crucial late season PDL Mid-Atlantic Division tilt.
The Nor’easters took an early lead off a goal from star forward Khesanio Hall in the 23rd minute. After receiving a pass from midfielder Harry Swartz, Hall burned his defender and ripped a shot past Jersey Express goaltender Matthew Turner for a 1-0 Nor’easters lead.
The lead ignited the crowd and the Nor’easters squad for several minutes, with Hall setting up midfielder Marc Greenblatt on a cross just two minutes later, whose header went just over the net. In the 30th minute, Hall caught Turner well out of the net and out of position but was unable to convert his second goal of the game.
In the 36th minute, Hall sent the ball on a hard cross to the back post where the save was made but the rebounded caromed around the box. Again the Nor’easters were unable to convert on the opportunity. This time it was defenseman Sonimi Halliday who was unable to bury the goal to give the Nor’easters a 2-0 lead.
The catalyst of the Nor’easters offense continues to be Khesanio Hall, who has turned himself into a bona fide star with the Nor’easters this summer. A prolific scorer and a player who can create opportunities for not only himself but others on the team as well.
He created numerous opportunities for the Nor’easters on Sunday night with no results after the first goal of the game in the 23rd minute. All the missed opportunities would come back to bite the Nor’easters at the end of the first half.
In the 44th minute, Jersey Express was able to tie the game up on a goal by midfielder Victor Roberto Lima, who put a shot past Ocean City goalkeeper Andrew Garcia.
The game slowed a little in the second half as both teams tried cautiously to gain the upper hand and score the game winning goal. The goaltenders were solid, each making four saves to keep the game locked at 1-1.
Hall continued his offensive free-wheeling in the second half, creating more opportunities to score as the minutes ticked on.
Each team had one quality scoring in the second half.
In the 73rd minute, Jersey Express had a wide open net but put the shot just wide, keeping the score knotted.
In the 77th minute, Hall blasted a shot in on Turner, who had to make a diving save to keep the game tied.
As the final seconds ticked away the Nor’easters made one last attempt at taking the lead unsuccessfully and the game ended on a 1-1 tie.
With the result the Nor’easters have 24 points and sit in fifth place in the PDL Mid-Atlantic Division, just three points behind Jersey Express and Reading United AC for third place in the division.
2015 Individual Match and Season ticket packages are on sale now. For more information, call (609) 432-8271 to speak with a Nor'easters ticket representative, email us at tickets@oceancityfc.com, or visit www.oceancityfc.com/tickets for ticket package information.
Text "HALL" to (609) 432-8271 to receive an exclusive promo code, for ticket purchases made online via www.oceancityfc.com/tickets.
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