In the first game since the 2015 APSL championship game, Boca Raton FC took on the Fort Lauderdale Strikers in a closed-door scrimmage at Lockhart Stadium on Labor Day to get prepared for the 2015 APSL Fall Tournament.
Boca Raton FC fell 3-2 to the Strikers, despite strong efforts by forwards Paulinho Vaz, Colby Burdette, and Shadi Harb.
Boca Raton opened the score early in the match when newcomer Paulinho broke away from two Striker defenders to give a perfect pass to a streaking Nickardo Blake who blasted a shot past Strikers keeper, Lionel Brown.
The Strikers came back 10 minutes later thanks to a beautifully placed free kick by midfielder Manny Gonzalez to level the score at one.
With many new faces in the squad ahead of the 2015 APSL Fall Tournament, head coach Marcelo Castillo used this scrimmage with Fort Lauderdale as an experiment to see how players would fit in.
Boca Raton FC remained composed versus the NASL-side most of the second half until a Nickardo Blake own goal gave Fort Lauderdale the 2-1 lead. After a myriad of beautiful passing by Fort Lauderdale, the home team was able to make it 3-1.
Colby Burdette scored late in the second half after a beautiful through ball was played to him down the middle, Strikers keeper David Meves was unable to stop it and Boca got one goal back before the referees blew the final whistle.
Boca Raton FC moves its sights on their APSL Fall Tournament opener on Sunday versus Alianza Miami at Broward College. Game time is set for 8:00pm.
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