Written by: Kalin Hicks

(Boyds, MD) - After drawing on the road in the first match of the year, the Bobcats secured three points in an absolute stunner of a home opener against Flower City Union at the Maryland Soccer Plex with a 6-1 victory.

Maryland Bobcats FC made a statement in their second game of the season. Being the first match on
home turf, the team wanted to bring home a win for the supporters. Nearly seconds after the first
whistle, the Bobcats proved to be the aggressor as Elijah Amo took the first shot on goal. Fans would not
have to wait much longer to see the first goal as Amo got the ball in the box and put it into the back of
the net to score his first professional goal.

Flower City were not without opportunities as there were numerous one-on-one situations that went
wide or were covered by keeper Felix Annan. In the 29th minute the Bobcats scored again as Darwin
Espinal dribbled around the Flower City defense and curled the ball into the top right corner of the net
to make the score 2-0. The midfielder was the lone scorer in the first match in Chattanooga and assisted
Amo’s first goal.

As Halftime drew closer, the Bobcats continued to control possession as Flower City struggled to find a
response to the output from the home side.

Maryland started the second half making two substitutions. James “Pele” Sesay came off for Drew
Wivell and Joseph Boone came off for Sam Solomon. The impact of these changes were soon felt as Solomon got on the scoresheet in the 56 th minute as he sent one home for his first professional goal.

Although the game was leaning in the Bobcats’ favor, Flower City continued to be dangerous on the attack. In the 58th minute, Giancarlo Canas-Jarquin capitalized on a rare error and sent the ball past the keeper to score Flower City’s first goal in their history.

However, this did not unsettle the Bobcats who shortly after got back to scoring ways. As the ball sailed
into the box from a corner kick, Sam Solomon got into position and slotted it past the Flower City keeper
to get his second goal of the night. The team were in no hurry to end the barrage of goals as Drew Wivell
crossed the ball into the box for a waiting Elijah Amo who put it into the back of the net for his second
goal of the night.

The visiting team continued to see some good opportunities in the Bobcats half of the field but the hosts
were able to quell any impending threat and continued to control the flow of the game. As 90 minutes
appeared on the scoreboard, the fourth official signaled for three minutes of extra time.

In the final minute of the game the Bobcats saw their score increase to six as Mitchell Brickman scored
an own goal from a Maryland shot attempt. While falling short of victory, Flower City were not without some prime opportunities to score against a very solid Maryland Bobcats side. For the home team, they showed discipline in front of goal and were able to stay solid on defense for the majority of the match and secure a much needed three points.

Up next, MBFC travel to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on April 5th to face Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC in the
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The Game will be broadcasted on ESPN+.

Later, the Bobcats return home to host AC Syracuse Pulse at Maureen Hendrick’s Field on April 9th.
Kickoff is at 7pm EST and gates will open at 6pm EST. You can be there for all the action this year and
can get your tickets (Single Game and Season Tickets) at marylandbobcatsfc.seatedly.com.

Match Details
Maryland Bobcats FC: Annan (GK), Forka, Clegg, Fane; Quintanilla, Possian, Espinal (Mason 67’), Sesay (Wivell 46’), Amo; Boone (Solomon 46’), Gonzalez (Akinkoye 82’)
Substitutions: Caulker (GK), Schneider, Majano, Mason, Solomon, Alvarado, Wivell, Akinkoye, Wright
Goals: Amo (13’, 72’), Espinal (29’), Solomon (56’, 63’), Brickman (OG)

Flower City Union: Ortiz-Ruiz (GK), Kidd De Point, Muller (Micheletti 46’), Veerakone, Brickman; Saling
(Curtis 66’), Canas-Jarquin, Fernandes, Deas (Yun Lee 79’), Kranick; Sobers-Assue (Carey 66’)
Substitutions: Ortega-Campos (GK), Ainscough, Pregoni, Yun Lee, Carey, Micheletti, Curtis
Goals: Canas-Jarquin (58’)
Bookings: Veerakone (17’)