MIAMI, FL — Boca Raton FC played their final game of the 2018 NPSL season on Saturday as the Boys in Blue traveled south to take on Miami FC. The Sunshine Conference leaders took an early lead and never looked back, scoring four goals in the first half before adding another in the 82nd minute to win 5-0.
Miami looked more likely to score from the onset. In the 6th minute, Michael Stone made a fantastic diving save to stop a shot taken about 25 yards from goal. However, just two minutes later, Darío Suárez’s first-time shot from the edge of the penalty area pinged off the far post and past Stone.
Miami FC extended their lead in the 12th minute, with Rhett Bernstein getting to the rebound of a corner kick and firing into the net from just in front of the goalmouth.
Boca Raton FC got their first shot on goal in the 17th minute as Carlos Meneses shot from distance, but his effort flew directly to the Miami FC keeper, who had no difficulty catching the shot.
In the 40th minute, Miami FC made it 3-0. Darío Suárez’s well-driven shot earned him his second goal of the game, with Miami scoring from a corner kick once again.
Four minutes later, the hosts added a fourth goal. Michael Stone appeared to have to stopped Jaime Chávez’s shot, but the ball slipped under the Boca Raton goalkeeper and rolled across the goal line.
Boca Raton FC went into the half trailing 4-0.
Two minutes into the second half, Miami FC goalscorer Jaime Chávez was shown a straight red card for making a dangerous challenge directly in front of the head referee.
The man advantage allowed the Boys in Blue to grow into the game and maintain possession for long spells, but Miami FC remained organized and difficult to break down.
Boca Raton coach Jim Rooney made a few substitutions as the game wore on, with Alec-Michael Petrizzi replacing João Victor in the 59th minute and Noah Graziano coming on for Gabriel Bravo in the 70th minute. Boca Raton goalkeeper Marko Rajic made his first outfield appearance of the season as he replaced Charles Smith in the 79th minute.
Miami scored their fifth and final goal of the match as Ariel Martínez got on the end of a through ball, dribbled into the Boca Raton penalty area, and chipped the ball over Michael Stone.
Although the Boys in Blue would have liked to have ended the season with a more positive result, Boca Raton FC improved on their 2017 NPSL season and will work to improve further next season. Thank you for supporting Boca Raton FC in the 2018 NPSL season!
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