Stefan Copetti’s early second-half goal wasn’t the springboard to a big win in the Erie County derby but did give coach Frank Butcher’s Wolves four of six points from their fierce rival Erie Commodores with a 1-1 draw at McConnell Family Stadium in Erie, Pennsylvania, on Sunday.
The Wolves match a club derby record unbeaten streak at five games (three wins, two draws), having recorded the same results between the last three derbies of coach Brendan Murphy’s tenure and the first two of Butcher’s. Coach Butcher’s derby record of four wins, two draws, and two losses is the best in club history, ahead of Murph’s four wins, one draw, and five losses. FCB did not beat Erie prior to 2013.
Trailing at the break despite controlling possession and chances, FCB flipped left and right wing backs Aodhan O’Hara and Colin O’Keefe at the break and it led to the equalizer.
O’Hara collected the ball and maintained control to spring Stefan Copetti into the right side of the box. The Marist College sophomore absolutely rifled a shot home to level the score.
FCB kept fighting but just couldn’t find a second goal, with Rodrigo Almeida, Nuukele Gboe, and Copetti all over the final third. Substitute Josh Kam was strong on debut in replacement of O’Hara, while Rob Williamson’s powerful free kick was well-saved by Erie.
The Wolves, however, would need to hold a stoppage-time surge from Erie, and Zach Drayer made a sliding goal mouth clearance to keep a cross from reaching a would-be match-winning Commodores.
FCB next meets the Rochester Lancers in the second-half of a UWS/NPSL doubleheader come Saturday night at Robert Rich Sr. All-High Stadium. Get tickets for the 4pm women’s kickoff, the 7pm men’s kickoff, or the doubleheader here.
