Philadelphia SC beats Alloy SC 4-3 in thrilling top of the table EPSL match

Harry Angelis didn’t waste much time putting his stamp on the proceedings Sunday night in a key top of the table EPSL clash, delivering a left-footed rocket to secure a 4-3 win for Philadelphia SC in the 83rd minute of a seesaw battle with first place Alloy SC at Northeast High School.

Playing in near perfect conditions on a Sunday night with a lively crowd in the stands and a food truck in the parking lot, the hosts went down three times, conceding a penalty on a handball in the box in the 8th minute, conceding just before halftime after they had tied the game up and then falling behind again five minutes into the second half.

Each time they went down, the hosts had a response. The Angelis exclamation point came three minutes after teammate Moussa Conde’s second goal of the night had brought things back to level terms.

“It was my first touch of the game so the way the ball was laid off by Jay Richmond it was bouncing so I decided to hit in one time and lucky enough it went right under the crossbar,” said Angelis, a former Lower Merion SC midfielder who is transferring to Penn State Abington from Penn State Brandywine this fall. “I was hoping to get a couple touches to ease myself into the game but that works.”

Perfect weather for soccer, entertaining back and forth game and a late winner from Harry Angelis to the delight of the home Philadelphia SC fans. Last night’s @EPSLsoccer match in Northeast Philly was time well spent. pic.twitter.com/QlH9gvOGEF

— Matt Ralph (@MattRalph_) April 29, 2024

With the win, Philadelphia SC draws even with Alloy SC on points at the top of the Delaware River Conference standings but Alloy has two games in hand on their challengers for the regular season title. The top four teams in the conference make the playoffs. Philadelphia Heritage SC is just two points back of Philadelphia SC with the same amount of games played.

“It was the counter attacks that were the difference,” Philadelphia SC head coach Joe Vianna said. “They’re really good at getting the ball in the box and getting crosses off but we were able to get the counters away quick. I’ve been telling these guys all season they’re the best team in the league and I still believe it.”

Sunday’s win avenged a 4-0 loss in Lancaster earlier in the season. Following the Angelis goal, Alloy created several nervy moments attacking the goal in search of an equalizer.

Ryan Butler, who scored the opener from the spot, had a would-be equalizer just miss in the closing moments of the game. Clovis Kabre and Shadrac Kisto – both with goals on the night – were dangerous throughout, giving Philadelphia central defenders Will Boehmer and captain Ben Richter plenty to do. Pedro Barbosa was dangerous for the hosts playing diagonal balls, including on a counter when he played Conde into the box to draw a penalty moments after Alloy went ahead. Joel Richmond then equalized from the spot in the 11th minute.

Philadelphia SC has two games left to play with a match this Saturday against Kensington SC and the regular season finale May 12 against Inter Vidas. Alloy has four still to play, wrapping up the regular season on May 18 against Philadelphia Heritage SC at Lancaster Bible College.

Check out photos from Sunday’s match.