American Football Association Cup 1915 – Semifinals
It was a raucous scene at Palmer Stadium, on the campus of Princeton University, for the semifinal match between the host Old Nassau 1869 and the visiting Alameda Nightstalkers. The Californians held their own for most of the first half until the Orange-and-Black’s Brice Hill collected a rebound in the 41st minute and slotted the ball past Nathaniel Franco. Any plans that the Nightstalkers came up with halftime to get back in the game were quickly squashed when Terrell Hoover leapt above the crowd and headed the ball in after a Nassau corner kick. While the visitors continued to press forward, the Nassau backline was impregnable. Things fell apart for Alameda when their pressure left Franco exposed to a breakaway at 73’ between Carson and Clarke, who passed the ball between them until Franco committed. Newton followed four minutes later with a free kick that blasted through the wall. Frustration led Lynch to take down Bowers for a penalty kick two minutes before the end.
In Cleveland’s Forest Park, the visiting Charlotte Coronets hoped to make a good showing for the Southern Division as they took on the juggernaut Cleveland Forest of the Ultimate Divisions. The local fans were quite energetic in urging their club to take another step towards the ‘double.’ Play was even in the opening minutes until Golden Ball winner Cameron Hayes wove through 4 defenders and slipped the ball just inside the near post in the 16th minute. Charlotte thought they had drawn even a few minutes later, but Golden Star goalkeeper Aaron Archer somehow managed to tip a Tom Wood shot that seemed destined for the upper corner. At 30’, Cleveland doubled the lead when Hayes, having drawn the attention of three Coronet defenders, dummied a driven ball from Morton that found Rasmussen alone five yards from the goal. The Forest inside right left no doubt with the finish, which also finished the scoring for the match.