YORK REGION – York9 kept its strong Fall season start rolling on Wednesday, defeating Pacific FC 2-1 at York Lions Stadium to earn a second-straight win in league play.

Despite fielding something of a makeshift lineup, York9 opened the scoring early in the match, with captain Manny Aparicio ripping a screamer of a rocket past Pacific ‘keeper Nolan Wirth in the 20th minute from seemingly out of nowhere, stunning the visitors. Aparicio’s shirtless celebration garnered a yellow card, though.

The Nine Stripes would hold that lead through the hour mark, before Pacific got onto the board courtesy of a driving run by Alexander Gonzalez. The Panamanian midfielder ran through the Y9 backline before spotting Terran Campbell unmarked in the box. Campbell coolly finished his 66th-minute effort, restoring the tie at 1-1.

However, not one minute later, York9 clawed out another lead courtesy of Simon Adjei, who notched York9’s second of the evening with a well-placed shot into the side of goal, giving his team a 2-1 lead at the 67-minute mark. That goal would prove the difference between the two sides, as the Nine Stripes took another three points out of York Lions Stadium.

Jimmy Brennan’s side returns to action on Sunday, July 21 in Calgary against Cavalry FC (1:30 p.m. MT/3:30 p.m. ET, available on OneSoccer). Meanwhile, Pacific FC returns to Westhills Stadium to take on HFX Wanderers FC on July 20 (3:00 p.m. PT/6:00 p.m. ET, available on OneSoccer).

Box Score

Goals

20′ – Manny Aparicio (York9 FC)

66′ – Terran Campbell (Pacific FC)

67′ – Simon Adjei (York9 FC)

Discipline

21′ – Manny Aparicio (York9 FC)

36′ – Emile Legault (Pacific FC)

93′ – Jose Hernandez (Pacific FC)

Three key performers

Manny Aparicio (York9 FC)

Hit an astounding shot to open the scoring and was buzzing around midfield throughout his time on the field. Aparicio remains one of the craftiest attackers in the league and his showing against Pacific further cemented his reputation as a constant nuisance.

Terran Campbell (Pacific FC)

Did well to score his team’s equalizing goal – albeit, a short-lived one – to add a fifth to his tally for the season. Also looked lively up top, helping bounce the ball around when he could from the centre-forward position.

Simon Adjei (York9 FC)

Another standout showing by the Nine Stripes striker, who came off the bench and scored in one fell swoop, giving his team all three points at home, once again.