BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Bethlehem Steel FC earned its first win of the season and also its first against FC Cincinnati as Seku Conneh’s second-half brace led to a 2-0 victory on Sunday at Goodman Stadium. Conneh’s two goals in the 47th and 60th minutes came against a Cincinnati side that played much of the match shorthanded after defender Paul Nicholson was sent off in the 23rd minute to deny a Cory Burke scoring attempt. Bethlehem goalkeeper Jake McGuire earned the win in his first appearance. His counterpart, FCC’s Mitch Hildebrandt, rose shortly after the Nicholson sending off, saving Conneh’s 24th-minute penalty kick. Steel FC moves to 1-1-0 (3 points) on the season while Cincinnati drops to 1-2-0 (3 points) to wrap up its three-game road trip to start the season.

Scoring:
47’ – BST – Seku Conneh (Jack Elliott)
60’ – BST – Seku Conneh (Santi Moar)

Three Things That Mattered:

• 1. Seku Conneh, who wore the captain’s armband for Bethlehem, showcased some leadership in a well-rounded second half. Up a man for the entire second half, Bethlehem took full advantage of the opportunity. Steel FC first found the score sheet with a nice change in attack as Jack Elliott played a long ball to Conneh on the left. Conneh did the rest, cutting to his right, eluding a defender and firing inside the far right post for a 1-0 lead in the 47th minute. Then Bethlehem essentially put the match away with a strong charge up the right side. Cincinnati goalkeeper Mitch Hildebrandt came off his line to initially deflect Santi Moar’s attack. Moar would stick with the play, got another touch on the ball and Conneh rushed in with a shot past two FCC defenders for a 2-0 cushion in the 60th minute. Conneh now has three goals this season.

• 2. In the early going, 2016 USL Goalkeeper of the Year Hildebrandt had a few shaky moments with the ball at his feet. He more than made up for the slow start when FCC needed him most. When Paul Nicholson was sent off for his last-defender infraction against Bethlehem’s Cory Burke, it also led to a PK chance for Steel FC. Conneh’s subsequent right-footed attempt was aimed toward the lower left of the frame, and Hildebrandt read the situation perfectly with the diving stop to keep the score level.

• 3. On the flip side, Bethlehem goalkeeper Jake McGuire made his Steel FC debut, and he had an active match from the get-go. His first couple saves were pretty routine, but McGuire created a highlight moment of his own in the 31st minute. Aodhan Quinn’s bending free kick was in search of the upper right corner and McGuire stretched for the near-post save – his third of the match at that stage. McGuire's read on set pieces also was strong in his debut. McGuire was the No. 30 overall selection of the 2017 MLS SuperDraft by the Houston Dynamo. After the former Portland Timbers U23 goalkeeper was released, the Philadelphia Union was quick to pick up McGuire, and Sunday gave both the Union and Bethlehem a glimpse of what he has to offer.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match:
Seku Conneh, Bethlehem Steel FC – Conneh provided the second-half fireworks with a brace to lead Bethlehem to its first win this season.

Upcoming Games:
Bethlehem Steel FC at Harrisburg City Islanders – April 15, 7 p.m. ET, FNB Field
FC Cincinnati vs. Saint Louis FC – April 15, 7 p.m. ET, Nippert Stadium