North Carolina FC forward Billy Schuler found the back of the net in the 91st minute, finishing a 2–1 come-from-behind win for the Oaks over Puerto Rico FC Saturday night at Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium in Bayamon.

The win put the Oaks (4–2–2 14 pts.) in second in the league, a point above San Francisco Deltas and three back of Miami FC.

Schuler’s goal came thanks to a long ball from Matt Fondy. Schuler took the ball in midair past PRFC goalkeeper (and former Charlotte 49er) Austin Pack.

It was Fondy that pulled the Oaks even in the 75th minute when he took a cross from Lance Laing off his head and past Pack.

Prior to the Fondy equalizer, North Carolina FC dominated possession in the second half as Laing attempted to push three opportunities home, but failed to connect.

Billy Schuler scored game-winner to lead North Carolina FC to a 2–1 win over Puerto Rico FC Saturday night. (Photo courtesy of North Carolina FC)

A shot in the 63rd minute nearly found the back of the net to tie the game up, but Pack was up to the challenge and pushed the ball out. He had one chance go just wide of goal and was called offside on another opportunity.

The second-half flurry came after the Oaks managed just five shots in the first.

It was the Orange who displayed the offense in the first half: Rudy Dawson put PRFC on the board in the 27th minute, taking a Jordy Quintanilla corner kick off the head and past Brian Sylvestre for a 1–0 lead.

Puerto Rico’s offensive prowess in the first half was sparked by its defense. The Orange were able to halt most of the Oaks’ attacks. It was the same attack that scored six earlier in the week against Carolina Dynamo in the U.S. Open Cup and three in a league win over Jacksonville Armada FC last weekend.

North Carolina FC has won four of their last six games to collect 14 points and have scored 11 goals in their last three games — including the U.S. Open Cup game last week.

Conversely, the Oaks’ defense has only given up three goals in their last three games in all competitions and four in their last three NASL contests.

Up next … The Oaks will complete their three-game road swing next Sunday with a rematch at Jacksonville Armada FC. The Armada topped the Deltas 3–0 Friday night and are one point back of NCFC in the league standings. North Carolina FC returns to Sahlen’s Stadium on May 31 to host the Charlotte Independence — a 3–2 winner in last week’s Charlotte derby over the Charlotte Eagles — in the fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup.