The team's playoff run ends after defeating three division champions (GPS Portland Phoenix, Charlotte Eagles, Reading United AC) before falling the Calgary. 

The Ocean City Nor’easters' magical playoff run ended in the National Semifinals against the Calgary Foothills FC on Saturday night. In a very hard match, the Nor’easters fell by a score of 3-0.

The team's playoff run ends after defeating three division champions (GPS Portland Phoenix, Charlotte Eagles, Reading United AC) before falling to Calgary. 

The first half saw Ocean City create most of the scoring opportunities. Nathan Regis (Pfeiffer University / Arima, Trinidad & Tobago) had a shot that came close to an opening goal, however it just went wide. His strike partner Chevaughn Walsh (Jefferson College / Spanish Town, Jamaica), had a good opportunity as well after a long run but his shot hit the side netting. Mutaya Mwape (UConn / Lusaka, Zambia) had a promising free kick that unfortunately went over the crossbar as the first half ended with a 0-0 score line.

The second half saw the majority of the action. Calgary got on the scoreboard first when Ajeet Sarkaria scored after receiving a pass from Dominic Russo.

After the opening goal, Ocean City used active buildup through the midfield and heavy action in the box by Regis and Walsh to try to find an equalizer. However, despite their efforts, they were unable to get a shot past goalkeeper Dylon Powley. Also, the team used heavy, defensive play to try and stop the surging Foothills.

Calgary got the second goal off a Kyle Jones free kick in the 68th minute. The home team tried to get back into the game by peppering the Calgary keeper with continuous shots but none went pass the keeper.

Calgary put the game away in the 84th minute when Nico Pasquotti scored to make it 3-0. The game would end that way as the 2016 season came to a close for the Nor'easters.

“We’re heartbroken. We're upset. The guys had a great run this year,” said Nor'easters head coach Tim Oswald. “At zero-zero at halftime I told them to keep doing what you’re doing and find the first goal of the match and make Calgary chase the game. And unfortunately Calgary found the first goal and sat in and defended us well. And even when we countered and dropped numbers behind the ball they deserved to win the game today.”

Calgary advances to the PDL championship game where they will face two-time league champion Michigan Bucks. The venue and date of the Final is still to be announced.

REPLAY: OCEAN CITY vs. CALGARY

--------------

For more information on the Ocean City Nor'easters or to "Follow the Storm" on social media, go to www.oceancityfc.com/followthestorm or text "FOLLOWTHESTORM" to 22828 to join the "Storm Watch" e-newsletter.
 

The Ocean City Nor’easters is a professionally run amateur soccer club with the focus of developing, educating and promoting soccer, health and leadership. Located in Ocean City, New Jersey, “America’s Greatest Family Resort”, the Nor’easters provide quality entertainment to families throughout the Tri-State area and the thousands of visitors every summer.

The Nor’easters organization was established in 1996 and made Carey Stadium, in Ocean City, NJ, its permanent home in 2005. Competing in North America’s top amateur league, the Premier Development League (PDL), the Nor’easters provide the highest level of soccer in Southern New Jersey. The 65-team PDL is the 4th level of soccer in the United States, below the professional leagues; Major League Soccer (MLS), North American Soccer League (NASL) and United Soccer League (USL). As part of the PDL, the Nor’easters’ have the sixth-best overall record since joining the league in 2003 and have upset five professional teams in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, third-most of any amateur team in the country. Ocean City players have the ability to compete during the summer months in a professional environment while maintaining their collegiate eligibility and pursuing their academic goals.