Junior Lone Star’s playoff hopes dim after frustrating home draw; West Chester United win on the road

Junior Lone Star needed all three points to help its playoff chances, but after scoring an equalizer late in the first half were frustrated by Electric City Shock at home to the tune of a 1-1 draw on Sunday.

Brandon Smalley opened the scoring for the visitors in the 36th minute, but the lead was erased three minutes later with Bill Walleekendeh’s seventh goal of the season for the Stars.

Junior Lone Star had the bulk of the chances in the second half – nearly finding a winner that slammed off the woodwork late in the game. The visitors from Scranton also had a few chances that goalkeeper Boubacar Keita did well to cut off.

The frustration for Junior Lone Star boiled over with the dismissal of head coach Neewilli Saie late in the game arguing a foul on a 50-50 ball.

Now, they’ll need to win their last game at home against a tough opponent in New Jersey Copa on Saturday night and get help from Electric City Shock with either a win or a draw with fourth-place Buxmont Torch.

Torch FC lost 7-3 to New Jersey Copa on Saturday thanks to a banner day from Raphael Araujo, who scored six of his team’s seven goals. Khalil Karl’s third of the season and Pedro Sousa’s fifth came in the second half when much of the damage had already been done. Buxmont’s other score was an own goal.

West Chester United kept pace with New Jersey Copa at the top of the table with a 3-1 win on the road at Greater Binghamton FC Thunder.

Joe Sales led West Chester with a pair of goals and Chas Wilson also scored in the match, which kept West Chester even on points at the top of the Keystone Conference standings with one game to go.

A win or a draw with Clarkstown SC Eagles on Saturday will ensure that West Chester United would host a playoff game (No. 1 hosts No. 4; No. 2 hosts No. 3).