Internationals SC Strikes Late to Defeat Erie 1812

Internationals SC turned a tense second half into a decisive finish Saturday, scoring twice in the final minutes to defeat Niagara 1812, 3-1, in WPSL action on May 31.

The match was decided by a narrow margin from the start. Internationals took a 1-0 lead into halftime, but Niagara responded after the break with a goal from Gabby Irwin, leveling the game and forcing both sides into a more open second half, where it remained tightly contested until the waning minutes.

With the score tied at 1-1, the game moved into a back-and-forth stretch where neither side fully took control. Niagara’s equalizer gave the visitors a foothold, while Internationals continued to press for a second goal without immediately finding the finish. That tension lasted deep into regulation before Internationals finally broke through.

The breakthrough came in the 87th minute, shifting the match sharply in Internationals’ favor. One minute later, another goal followed, turning a narrow contest into a two-goal cushion and leaving Niagara with too little time to respond.

Amelia Swinarski, Jordan Rowan and Taylor Allen each scored for Internationals, giving the side three different goal scorers in the win. Irwin provided Niagara’s lone goal, briefly bringing the visitors back into the match before Internationals’ late surge settled the result.

For Internationals, the victory came through persistence and late composure rather than early separation. Niagara made the match uncomfortable after halftime, but Internationals managed the closing minutes well enough to convert pressure into goals when the game was still there to be taken.

The 3-1 result gave Internationals SC a strong finish in a Lake Erie Division matchup that remained competitive until the final minutes, while Niagara 1812 was left to rue a late stretch that quickly changed the outcome. Internationals SC now sits at 2-0-0, with Niagara 1812 moving to 1-0-1.