After losing and being shutout the first two games of the season, something good needed to go Amish Country United's way. We seemed to get that early in the game against Wayne Rovers as Sam Paul
scored just four minutes into his ACU debut to give United the 1-0 lead. After dominating for much of the first half, ACU looked to continue putting pressure on the Rovers' young team.
However, the second half did not start the way we wanted it to. A poor giveaway in our own defensive half led to the equalizer from Wayne Rovers forward Camilo-Esteban Rogers and then just three minutes later, a late Lakota Mast tackle (which initially looked a clean challenge) in the box awarded the Rovers a penalty and the chance to take the lead. Cole Richards stepped up and powered it into the back of the net and ACU's hopes of getting a first win looked bleak.
The Amish responded nicely though as Chris Miller
, also making his debut, tapped in a redirected Brandon Mount shot to equalize in the sixty-third. A few minutes later Sinjon Howell
scored his first goal of the season to retake the lead for ACU. He somehow managed to sneak around a Rovers defender who had much better positioning and poke it by the keeper. Howell then went on to score his second of the game in the eighty-first minute, putting Wayne Rovers to bed. Andy Benderoth
then removed all doubt as he smashed a low drive and beat Rovers keeper Bryce Blair front post, rounding out a good 5-2 win for Amish Country United.
We improve to 1-0-2 on the season. ACU still definitely have a few things to work on but this game showed a lot of promise for the rest of the season. The Amish next play Thursday May 30 as they travel to Stark County United. The game is at Lake Center Christian School in Hartville and kickoff is at 7:00 PM.
