Saturday night at Rocco Ortenzio Stadium wasn't the result anyone wanted. The Islanders fell 1-0 to SFC 1924, giving up a 76th-minute Oliver Trujillo penalty kick in a match that felt frustrating from the opening whistle.

It felt like a sucker punch to the gut.

Credit to the opposition. SFC 1924 showed up with a clear game plan — three defenders, six midfielders, two forwards — and it worked. That packed midfield cut off CCI's build-up play repeatedly, and the three-man backline left Jai Rose isolated up front for long stretches.

Credit where it's due: they had a plan and executed it. The Islanders just couldn't find a way through.

The conditions didn't help. Temperatures were already at 84 degrees at kickoff(and many SFC 1924 players went down with cramp, and one had to be carted off), and by midway through the second half, the wind was gusting past 20 mph — not exactly ideal for the kind of crisp, attacking soccer the Islanders want to play.

SFC 1924 goalkeeper Maxsym Bukachevsky was the story of the night, making seven saves to keep it clean. A hard-fought game and nothing to show for it is a tough result to swallow for the Islanders.

Morris went to the bench five times looking for a spark. Derek Ramirez came on for Will Kim at the 40th minute, Obiazie Chinatu replaced Jai Rose at the 59th, and Brian Ramirez, Mbongiseni Ncube, and Aiden McWilliams all came on at various points in the second half for Drew Morris, Atu Galadima, and Gage Souder, respectively.

The season is short, so Head Coach Johnny Morris will have the guys hard at work during the week to turn their fortunes around.

Up next: the Islanders head to Clifton, New Jersey, on April 12 to face New Jersey Alliance FC — then come home on April 18 for Heroes Night against Bulldogs SC.

Time to bounce back!

That was a tough game to watch. Questionable calls (both for and against CCI) all night by the referees like: many handballs let go, rough play in both penalty boxes, and no cards shown until late in the second half. The wind was very strong and the temps sweltering in the first half. It was the same for both teams, but, man, that was not the type of soccer we’re accustomed to seeing from the Islanders.

Jai Rose was overwhelmed anytime he touched the ball, crowded quickly with little room to operate. Drew Morris never really got going, and his pace went to waste as many through balls were cut off by the smothering SFC defense.

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