LANCASTER, Mass. — The ECNL Boys’ New England Conference standings are tight at the top in the 2008 age group, with five teams separated by four points entering the final month of the regular season.
That made Sunday’s FSA and FC Stars showdown critical for both sides.
On a windy afternoon at the FC Stars Complex, FSA took control in the first half, scoring twice to open a 2-0 halftime lead. But the second half was a different story. FC Stars finally created scoring chances and cashed in twice, including on a penalty kick with 10 minutes left that tied it, 2-2.
With the game hanging in the balance, FSA forward Hayden Xhokaxhiu broke free down the left sideline and slipped a pass to Michael Guildner for the game-winning goal with minutes left.
FSA players breathed a sigh of relief when the final whistle blew, cementing an important 3-2 victory. FSA (5-1-4, 19 points) rose to second in the standings and extended their unbeaten streak to five games. FC Stars (4-3-3, 15 points) stayed in fifth place, three points behind STA (18 points) for the third and final playoff spot.
Here are five standout players from the back-and-forth affair:
