ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Flower City Union’s second-half heroics continued on Wednesday night as forward Alioune Diakhate scored in the 81st minute to give the home team a 1-1 comeback draw with Club de Lyon in National Independent Soccer Association action at the Rochester Community Sports Complex.
Flower City Union (5-8-1, 16 points), which had its three-game winning streak turned into a four-game unbeaten streak across all competitions, had visions of moving into the sixth place and the final playoff spot. Lyon (5-7-3, 18), however, had other ideas and remained two points ahead of its rivals. Flower City has a game in hand.
The sequence on the equalizing goal was started with a throw by goalkeeper Michael Mejia. Four passes later, forward Luke Ferreira possessed the ball on the right side. He worked his way through three defenders. Just before he reached the end line, Ferreira sent a low cross to Diakhate, who buried it from point-blank range past goalkeeper Josue Mazon.
It was Diakhate’s sixth goal of the campaign and Ferreira’s fifth assist of the season.
Lyon captain Matias Pourrain boosted Lyon into a third-minute lead. Flower City defender Kyle Nelson lost possession of the ball and Pourrain went alone on goalkeeper Mejia and scored from 12 yards. It was Pourrain’s third goal against the hosts and fifth overall this season.
Prior to its goal, Flower City’s three close encounters. Ferreira’s shot was saved by goalkeeper Mazon. The rebound came to Diakhate, whose follow-up attempt was cleared off the line by a defender.
In the 91st minute, second-half substitute Frederick Opoku raced into the box on the left side and had Mazon beat but hit the side netting in his try for a dramatic finish.
As Salt City Union, the team will play at league-leading Chattanooga FC (11-0-4, 37) on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
