ELMWOOD PARK, NJ (April 12, 2021) - Nelson Luna, Sebastian Rojek, Paul Kondratowicz and Hubert Dul all found the back of the net in Saturday's Spring Season opening match as Metro defeated NJAFC by a score of 4-2.

After going down 1-0 in the 31st minute, Metro answered with two quick goals to take the lead - first in the 33rd minute after a ball from Nick Kozdron found Luna cutting across the back line who's finish beat the keeper to the top corner. Only two minutes later, Rojek kept his composure at the top of the box after a poor clearance and saw his shot deflect past the keeper and into the near post.

Metro went into the break up 2-1, controlling majority of the half with a few wasted chances. 

The second half saw Metro continue pressing forward with more missed chances before NJAFC capitalized on a defensive scramble that saw Daniel Gasper alone with debutant goalkeeper, Mateo Green, with his lobbed strike finding the back of the net to draw the match 2-2 in the 53rd minute.

The game would remain tied only for moments when in the 58th minute Kozdron's ball found Kondratowicz cutting across the defensive line who, under pressure from the defender and oncoming goalkeeper, rifled his shot into the top corner of the net. The assist was the second of the match for the team's skipper. Metro would seal the match five minutes later after Luna's flicked header found the chest of Konrad Plewa inside the penalty area. Plewa brought the ball down, slipping the ball to an overlapping Dul with the striker making no mistake on his cool finish to the bottom corner, giving Metro the exclamation on the night and a 4-2 lead.

The game pressed on back and forth with Metro seeing more chances go by the way side as the side looked to pad the advantage. "Saturday's win against a very tough opponent was the start we were looking for," said Head Coach Rob Kruk post game. "Being down 1-0, to letting the lead slip away, to then score 2 unanswered goals showed great character and fight from our guys."

Metro will now look to build off the season opening win as the team prepares this week to welcome Queens Meadow FC to Athenia Steel Park on Saturday, April 17. The match is set to kickoff at 7:15 PM with tickets made available the evening of each home match at cost of donation.

GOALS

33' -- Luna (Kozdron)

35' -- Rojek

58' -- Kondratowicz (Kozdron)

63' -- Dul (Plewa)

NEXT MATCH

Saturday, April 17 vs Queens Meadow FC (7:15 PM)