Chris Amaya booted a 50-yard free kick into the net with less than a minute remaining as visiting Nantucket SC salvaged a 1-1 draw with the MV United 2000 Under 19 men’s team in a physical, intense South Coast Soccer League (SCSL) Division 1 match Sunday afternoon at Veterans Park in Vineyard Haven.
Nantucket had the lion’s share of possession for the first 15 minutes on the Vineyard’s home pitch, but managed just one wayward shot at the goal. From there, the hosts gradually transitioned from counter-attackers to aggressors, and took the lead five minutes before halftime after Jayden Edelman slotted a free kick inside the right post from just outside the box.
The teams slogged through a mostly uneventful second half, played in heavy midfield traffic, until Nantucket peppered the Vineyard goal with a late barrage. United goalkeeper Joshua Sampaio made the save of the match with five minutes left, sliding to punch a point-blank shot away from the right post.
In the dying seconds, Nantucket grabbed an improbable, stunning equalizer as Amaya unleashed a powerful free kick from near midfield that curled inches under the crossbar over Sampaio’s outstretched fingers.
Following the U19 match, the MV United 2007 U12 Div. 1 Girls team blanked visiting Freetown Lakeville United, 4-0. Talia Maccaferri scored twice, with the first goal unassisted and the second tally set up by Emily Coogan, who notched a goal of her own, assisted by Audrey Heidt. Eleanor Mone also scored for MVU, assisted by Maccaferri. Emily and Jane Coogan earned the clean sheet in net with stellar goalkeeping.
Earlier in the day, the United 2004 U15 D1 Boys rolled to a 7-1 home win over Mariner of Fairhaven. In Division 2 play on Sunday, the 2007 U12 Boys defeated Wareham 1-0, and the 2000 (U19) Women lost to host Mashpee, 6-1.
Five United sides were in action on Saturday. At Veterans Park, the 2005 U14 D2 Girls edged Bourne, 2-1, while 2006 U13 D1 Boys and Dartmouth FC played to a 1-1 draw. On the road, the 2005 U14 D1 Boys rolled past Sandwich, 7-1; the 2007 U12 D2 Girls beat Norton, 5-3; and the 2007 U12 D1 Boys lost to Norton, 3-2.