On the second and final day of competition in the NPSL’s 2020 Members Cup played between four ‘Rust-Belt’ clubs, Pittsburgh Hotspurs came away with a 3-0 victory against the Erie Commodores, earning the second-year NPSL club its first ever trophy, as they squeezed through to the top of the four-team table.
The Hotspurs didn’t waste any time getting out to the lead, scoring just 45 seconds into the match when Nicky Kolarac finished it off after an assist from Tate Mohney.
In the 37th minute, Mohney got into the scoring column with a volley from 12 yards from a pass in from Gabe Norris.
The Hotspurs took a commanding 3-0 lead at the end of the first half when Nate Dragisich set up Nathan Dos Santos.
The 3-0 lead would hold up through the second half, and to the final whistle.
After the second match between Cleveland and Buffalo saw two very late goals from Cleveland, the Hotspurs (1-0-1, 4 points, +3 GD) edged out the rest of the group in goal differential.
We are the @NPSLSoccer Members Cup 2020 Winners! Well down boys!! #npsl #hotspursway
(With a 3-1 win for Cleveland over Buffalo in the second game of the night of Members Cup, the decider was forced to goal-differential.) pic.twitter.com/e7k3wQm2o5
— Hotspurs Soccer Club (@HotspursClub) July 30, 2020
Here’s a look at the Hotspurs’ lineup, featuring mostly current college players and Kolarac, a former Riverhounds SC midfielder and West Allegheny standout.
Game 2 of the @NPSLSoccer Members Cup is tonight! Kickoff at 6p. Watch live: https://t.co/cJmJhcgH54 #hotspursway #pittsburghsoccer pic.twitter.com/GWIBnPsr6d
— Hotspurs Soccer Club (@HotspursClub) July 29, 2020
NPSL MEMBERS CUP STANDINGS
TEAM
|
GP
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
GF
|
GA
|
GD
|
PTS
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cleveland SC | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 4 |
Erie Commodores FC | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | -4 | 0 |
FC Buffalo | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 5 | -1 | 3 |
Pittsburgh Hotspurs | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 4 |