With this weekend off for the Thanksgiving weekend, it’s time to be thanksful and look back at all the action for last weekend’s CSL Division 1 games. For the first time this season two games ended in scoreless draws thanks to outstanding efforts from backlines and goalkeepers. Hoboken, the current D1 table leader, was one of these teams which means the rest of the table has a chance to makeup ground. Meanwhile, another team won it’s first game of the season.

Full recap below:

Sunday, November 21
Manhattan Kickers vs Borgetto FC (1-3)
A sloppy second half from the Manhattan Kickers allowed Borgetto FC to impose themselves and take home three points on Sunday morning. Head coach Bryan Baracaldo says this same song and dance is getting tiresome, but he knows he and his group are improving.

“We’ve been outscored 16-0 in the second half, we need more lungs,” he said. “I’ll continue to try and get the consistency we need, hope to get some guys back from injuries/trips for our next game against Kelmendi.”

His team caused Borgetto difficulties uptop especially thanks to Bobby Fabricant and Shaiem Allahmorad. Despite missing wingbacks the defensive shape also held on. But the thin numbers caught up to the home side. The Kickers’ lone goal in the first half from Brian Morris also pulled the forward’s hamstring. After only 30 minutes he was unable to play at full strength and the team’s lack of subs meant players got tired.

In the second half the team could not keep up. Keeper Jonathan Morales continued to play an excellent game, even stopping a penalty kick attempt in the final 45, but he was eventually beaten. Borgetto’s George Yusuff scored both the opening and closing goals, assisted by Jesus Patino and Alexis Santa. The second goal came from Sergio Abarca, who was also assisted by Patino.

The Kickers will return to action on Sunday, December 12 when they visit Kelmendi FC NY for their penultimate game of the fall. Borgetto will visit Richmond County FC later that same day.

Hoboken FC 1912 vs New York Athletic Club (0-0)
A stalemate of two CSL stalwarts left Hoboken FC 1912 and New York Athletic Club with a point each following their scoreless draw. Well organized defense allowed Hoboken’s Tyler Poggiogale and both NYAC’s Lyman Missimer and Jake Mann (combined) to post clean sheets.

Hoboken came into the match with a lot of absences with players recovering from injuries or leaving early for Thanksgiving. For a second straight game though, a depleted backline still held its shape. Head coach Steve Korfiatis explained his team played compact in the midfield and pushed for close quarters while in their own end.

There were scoring chances though. Athletic Club’s Scott Enman had success on the right flank, generating chance after chance, but NYAC was unable to convert. Hoboken forward Scott Reed gave the opposing back line a run for their money all day and his best chance came off a miscue in the 79th minute. That was followed up by Dimitri Mataras whose free kick struck off the crossbar and back into the field of play.

“Sometimes you only get three or four chances to score and when the opportunities come you have to be clinical in front of the net, which we were not despite playing a style that isn’t our primary way of playing,” said Korfiatis.

Athletic Club will return to CSL action slightly before everyone else when they host New York Shamrock SC on Sunday, December 5. Hoboken will host Zum Schneider FC 03 II one week later at noon.

New York Shamrock SC vs Polonia SC (0-0)
Polonia SC and New York Shamrock SC played to a scoreless draw on Sunday. Both teams currently sit in the middle of the Division 1 table. Polonia, currently #8, is six points clear of the next team while the Rocks, #6, are only a win away from jumping into the Top 4.

The Rocks will next be in action on December 5 when they visit New York Athletic Club. Polonia meanwhile will return to action with most of the league one week later when they visit FC Sandzak.

Stal Mielec NY vs Beyond FC (3-0)
In a match between two teams looking to change their fortunes it was Stal Mielec NY who came closer to escaping the relegation zone. The Polish side earned its first win of the season against Beyond FC at McCarren Park and now look to hold the momentum to finish the Fall off on a positive note.

Alexander Lenart, Patryk Majkut, and Pawel Marczenia all scored for the home team in the critical contest. Marczenia and Lenart also assisted on two of the goals during the game as well. With one game left to go in the Fall Stal has a chance to jump out of the bottom two. They’ll get that chance against a New York Shamrock SC side that has been human all season on December 12. Beyond will visit New York Athletic Club at noon that same day.

Kelmendi FC NY vs Richmond County FC (2-3)
(Highlights by Game in Frame)
Richmond County FC capitalized on an early lead and never looked back in it’s 2-3 win over Kelmendi FC NY.

Ady Gaye started the scoring off in the 20th minute when Mark Shnadshteyn passed up to him. His run in the middle of the field allowed a shot through the advancing keeper’s legs that trickled into the back netting. Ten minutes later Peter Zima’s corner kick was headed in by Dominik Urban to double Richmond’s lead. Gaye put the nail in the coffin in the 55th minute off an assist from Dardan Gjonbalaj.

The game was not over though and Kelmendi fought back. A long cross from Kelmendi into the box resulted in a challenge by the Richmond keeper against Eduard Necaj. The referee pointed to the spot and Necaj converted in the 69th minute. An impressive 85th goal from Rocky Bujaj cut the deficit to one but the clock ran out on the comeback.

Kelmendi will host Manhattan Kickers on December 12th’s nightcap next, while Richmond hosts Borgetto FC at the same time that day.

Zum Schneider FC 03 II vs FC Sandžak (4-2)
No goal scorer information provided by FC Sandžak
An early goal by FC Sandžak was not enough to hold back the home side in Week 9’s nightcap. After a slow start, Zum Schneider FC 03 II has a chance to finish in the Top 4 in the fall season thanks to this 4-2 win.

Sunny Epochi led the team with two goals while Diego Cholula Castro and Atay Yilmaz tallied one score each. In a true team effort each goal was assisted by a different player with Baba Kane, Andrew Birstingl, Jackson Mariani, and Matel Anasta all helping to set up.

Zum will wrap up the fall on December 12 when they visit Hoboken FC 1912 in New Jersey. Details regarding Sandzak’s match that day against Polonia SC are still being finalized.