Steinberger's goal equalizes game to 1-1

Shane Biery, ArmadaFC.com | March 1, 2017

The Jacksonville Armada FC battled the Jacksonville University Dolphins in a stalemate Wednesday night when the game ended in a 1-1 draw. The exhibition was the third meeting between the two teams, and was the ­­first time the game finished in a tie.

The Dolphins opened the match with high-intensity play and managed to score a goal in the 2nd minute when midfielder Igor Ferreira found the back of the net on a penalty kick. After conceding the early goal, the Armada FC buckled down and was able to create multiple chances before the half came to an end.

J.C. Banks and Kevan George connected for a nice give-and-go, setting up Banks for a shot that went wide right. Minutes later, George came up just short when his shot from 20 yards out connected with the crossbar.

The Armada FC created their best scoring chance of the half when midfielder Charles Eloundou dribbled his way into the box past JU’s defense for a shot that went right over the crossbar.

Despite the Armada FC taking five corner kicks and getting eight shots off in the first half, the Dolphins went into halftime with a 1-0 lead.

The Dolphins started the second half with as much intensity as they did in the first half. Two minutes into the second half Armada FC goalkeeper Caleb Patterson-Sewell found himself in a 1v1, but managed to come up with a big save, keeping the deficit at one.

Five minutes later, the Armada FC scored the equalizer when midfielder Zach Steinberger netted his first goal of the preseason. The goal came in the 47th minute when Steinberger snuck the shot by two defenders and to the left of JU’s keeper.

The Armada FC new signings left their mark on the second half. Midfielder Jack Blake recorded two shots on target, one of which was a screamer from 25 yards out that was saved by the keeper.

In the 72nd minute of the match, defender Michael O’Sullivan almost scored the game winner, but came up just short when his header connected with the crossbar.

The Armada will return to the pitch at Patton Park on Saturday at 4 p.m. when it faces Montverde Academy, the first-ranked college preparatory school in Florida.