Match Recap: Muskegon Evens Season Spar

Written by Robert Kerr, Staff Writer

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Oakland County FC was defeated by the Muskegon Risers this past Saturday. The 3-1 exhibition loss snapped County’s five game unbeaten run, across all competitions. The final road game of the season saw veteran Mario Morana score his ninth goal of 2019, putting him alone at the top of the OCFC scorers list. The Purple Gang travelled with a much changed squad, which Muskegon capitalized on in front of their fans, who braved the rain. Attention now turns to the 2019 season finale on Saturday August 3rd, when Livonia FC visit Clawson City Park Stadium.

What a season it’s been. Our 2019 campaign comes to a close on August 3️⃣ as we play host to @LivoniaCityFC! Join us as we celebrate our fourth season and our #MilkCup Co-Title!

TICKETS ?️ | https://t.co/0G2kjZBGix#BleedPurple | #OCFC pic.twitter.com/C7deoQKrCV

— Oakland County FC (@OaklandCountyFC) July 23, 2019

The game’s goals came in pairs, on a wet Saturday night. Two goals within the game’s opening eight minutes, and then two more within six minutes in the later stages of the second half. The Risers opened the scoring via Justice Sikkema, in the fourth minute of the match. OCFC’s Mario Morana evened the scoring, just four minutes later. 

8’ | GOAL! Morana evens it up on a free kick!

1-1 #OCFCvsMKG #BleedPurple pic.twitter.com/RB07Lj1PHo

— Oakland County FC (@OaklandCountyFC) July 27, 2019

Morana drew a free kick outside the Risers penalty area. The County original then stepped up to take the set piece, and attempted to curl his shot over the defenses wall towards goal. Fortune was on the captain’s side, as his shot deflected off a defenders head, sending the ball into the opposite side of the goal, wrong footing the goalkeeper, completely. 

Unfortunately, there were no more OCFC goals to celebrate in Muskegon. As the game wore on, tired legs and a short bench, eventually took its tole on the team in the away whites. Risers goals in the 74th and 80th minutes, were enough to end OCFC’s late season unbeaten run. The Risers now take a 4-3 lead, in the all-time series between the two Michigan clubs. Making their OCFC debuts were Mikel Alia, Robbie Stimson and Sam Seppo.

Mario Morana

We struggled with possession at times, we countered and had a few good opportunities, but overall we were doing a lot of chasing.

Tonight’s Starting XI.

Miller (GK), Farley, Alia, M. Lencioni, Seppo, Tahuona, Stimson, Kilibrige, Lahbiki, K. Lencioni, Morana (coin toss guy). #BleedPurple pic.twitter.com/cCoqqzZGEc

— Oakland County FC (@OaklandCountyFC) July 27, 2019

Oakland County’s best entertainment returns to Clawson one last time, in 2019, on Saturday, August 3rd. The final match weekend will be a celebration of the Club’s fans, partners, and neighbors. The season’s finale weekend will begin with the first annual Supporters vs Staff game and BBQ, on Friday night, from 6-8 PM, at Clawson City Park. August 3rd’s game against Livonia FC, will also serve as the jump-off point to OCFC’s offseason community partnership with St Jude Children’s Research Hospital. A portion of proceeds from game tickets sold by August 1, will be donated as part of Oakland County FC’s participation in St Jude’s Run Walk in Detroit, MI., on September 28. To join or donate to OCFC’s St Jude Run Walk team, visit here. For tickets to August 3rd’s season finale, visit oaklandcountyfc.com.