By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — It is why they play the WHOLE 90 minutes. Down 2-0 to Apotheos in the 80th minute, Appalachian FC’s Elie Bokota found the back of the net in the 81st minute to shrink the deficit, then teammate Ken Raghoebar blistered a goal in the 88th minute to tie the score, 2-2.
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While Appalachian FC displayed its offensive power in the first half with several of the most exciting and dramatic attack opportunities, they all flew just wide or were saved just as dramatically by the Apotheos goalkeeper, Newsha Mirfendereski, either leaping high to corral an attempt or diving to smother a “worm burner” skipping toward the net.
Meanwhile, Apotheos — the Atlanta-based team that was runner-up to Tulsa Athletic in the 2023 National Premier Soccer League Championship Game (losing on penalty kicks) — was able to capitalize on one of the few opportunities it had in the opening half on a long goal from outside the box. Appalachian FC’s defense and midfield play limited Apotheos’ opportunities, but the Locomotives took a 1-0 lead into intermission and added a penalty kick in the second half to increase their advantage, 2-0.
And that led to Appalachian FC’s late comeback to tie the game.
Next up for Appalachian FC is a road test on May 25 in Knoxville, Tenn., against 865 Alliance. The Sasquatch crew returns home on June 1 to face the Bristol Rhythm AFC at Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex.
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