In their first preseason test of the 2018 season, LouCity prevailed with a 3-1 win over Young Harris College thanks to second-half goals from Cameron Lancaster, Magnus Rasmussen, and Niall McCabe.
James O’Connor’s side took to the pitch for the first time all year following a two-week stint at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, prioritizing fitness and off-the-ball work ahead of a five-game preseason.
Though the team commanded the game in the first half, LouCity was unable to find the back of the net despite opportunities for forward Luke Spencer and midfielder Richard Ballard, both of whom were active in the attacking third throughout.
Despite a scoreless contest through nearly an hour, Cameron Lancaster was able to break the deadlock in the 56th minute. Settling a pass near the top of the box, the forward produced a calm, curling effort past the Young Harris ‘keeper to the far post, igniting the LouCity attacking output.
Just two minutes later, the visiting side would find their lone goal of the afternoon following a sprightly counter that led to an opening at the back. However, their lead would be short-lived as Magnus Rasmussen was able to tap home from close range in the 65th minute.
As LouCity continued marshaling play on both ends, the “Boys in Purple” would pepper the Young Harris goal as the match neared its end. After back-to-back corner kicks in the final few minutes, Niall McCabe was able to put the icing on the cake with a sweet but deflected strike that clipped the underside of the crossbar on its way in.
“It means a lot to me to play this game. I spent four great years at Young Harris, I know Mark [McKeever] and Dean [Grey]. They run a great program,” said McCabe.
“Coming up against a former team, you want to show that you’ve got it and you almost want to prove something as well. But they have a very good side and they made it difficult for us. They worked hard. It’s just really good to get minutes under the belt and to have no injuries. It was a good workout for us.”
The exclamation point of the afternoon, the midfielder’s bullet of an effort was the last action of the match.
The Key Points:
- Lancaster’s curler put the team in front just before the hour mark
- Rasmussen gets his first goal since returning to LouCity to put his side back in front
- McCabe nets an absolute belter, too, for a three-goal output
O’Connor’s Takeaways:
“We’ve got lots to work on – that’s what I’m taking away from it. We created lots of opportunities and we need to be more clinical, but still have a lot to work on. We were too sloppy for my liking and it has to be better.”
“Young Harris deserves a lot of credit for how they played. They played with tremendous spirit; they’re very well organized. [Young Harris head coach] Mark [McKeever] is a really good coach and this was a good test for us. We’re very thankful and grateful they made the trip up to give us a good run.”
“We need to have a better collective understanding and awareness. There are a couple of things we need to get much better at so this week will be spent doing just that.”
Team News:
With only a pair of LouCity players going the distance for the full 90 minutes, a number of players featured for 45 minutes as O’Connor continued to tweak his squad.
Midfielder Brian Ownby was absent due to illness.
LouCity 3 : 1 Young Harris College
Saturday, February 24, 2018
Woerhle Athletic Complex – Jeffersonville, IN
Scoring Summary:
LOU – Cameron Lancaster 56’
YHC – Young Harris forward
LOU – Magnus Rasmussen 65’
LOU – Niall McCabe 90’
