Project 51O returned to winning ways at Ohlone College on Sunday, securing a last-gasp victory against Marin FC with a Damario Mcintosh goal in the 88th minute. Project 51O sought to maintain its momentum after two positive results in San Francisco, while Marin FC looked to bounce back from its disappointing Southern California road trip, suffering losses to the Ventura County Fusion and the Southern California Seahorses.
51O coach Mikey Hannon made six changes to the side that earned a point against the Glens, as Javier Bedolla Vera, Noah Bohane, Daniel Gomez, Eduardo Marin and Brandon Zelaya were given chances to impress.
It was the visitors on the front foot early, when Zach Lillington rose highest off a corner, but looped his header over the bar. Marin FC’s Owen Benson was a threat on the right wing throughout the half, drawing a yellow card on Carlos Cruz, who mistimed his sliding challenge. After Marin FC got in behind 51O’s defense in the 24th minute, Eduardo Marin was called into action, stuffing a point blank shot, and keeping the scoreline even. On the other end of the pitch, Brandon Zelaya thought he had put 51O in front with a neat finish, but the offside flag curtailed his celebrations.
Chris Barrios had the biggest chance to break the deadlock in the 39th minute for the away side, receiving a cutback from Dartmouth’s Eric Sachelben, but he scuffed his shot wide with the goal gaping. Project 51O’s best chance of the half ensued, as Gabriel Bracken-Serra capitalized on a turnover, breaking into the box and rounding the keeper, but the acute angle meant he could only trouble the side netting. As the halftime whistle blew, both teams could count themselves fortunate to have avoided conceding.
Seconds after the referee blew the whistle to commence the second half, Marin FC broke the deadlock, as Benson’s cutback was roofed into the back of the net by halftime substitute Kleber Maldonado. As Project 51O attempted to find an equalizer, the ball fell kindly to 14 year old Damario Macintosh, but his low drive was blocked by a Marin FC defender on the six yard line. The equalizer would soon follow, as Zach Lillington’s clumsy defending on Etsgar Cruz resulted in a penalty kick in the 67th minute. Santa Clara product Javi Ruiz-Duran stepped up to the spot, and promptly dispatched the penalty into the roof of the net, notching his 2nd goal of the season.
The goal shifted the momentum of the match, and 51O began to complete the trademark combinations that were few and far between in the first half, forcing Marin FC back into a lower defensive block. The pressure finally broke the pipes, and a brilliant through ball from Ruiz-Duran found Estgar Cruz in behind Marin FC’s backline. Cruz’s shot deflected off Marin FC goalkeeper Elliot Pavis, and Mcintosh helped himself to the rebound, securing the three points in dramatic fashion.
The win moved Project 51O to second place in USL League Two’s Western Conference standings on 16 points, overtaking the SF Glens, while Marin FC secured their hold on the basement of the division, having taken just three points from four matches.
Project 51O will head down to Southern California next weekend, with a Friday matchup against Ventura County Fusion and then a Sunday meeting with FC Golden State Force on July 1st and 3rd, respectively.
