Sports stats



USL1 North Carolina FC

North Carolina FC Defeats Greenville Triumph SC on the Road

April 29, 2023 - United Soccer League One (USL1)
North Carolina FC News Release


GREENVILLE, SC - North Carolina FC jumps to the top of the USL League One table following a 2-1 road victory over Greenville Triumph SC. Two first half penalties, both of which eventually found their way to the back of the net, shaped the matchup between the two that saw the visitors take all three points.

The first real action of the match took place in the 16th minute when Rafa Mentzingen was taken down in the box by Hassan Gabo and the referee pointed to the spot. Mentzingen stepped up to take the penalty, but Jared Mazzola guessed the right way and saved the shot. Before the ball could reach the ground, Louis Perez got a touch on it and was able to somehow divert it into the goal.

Minutes later Mentzingen almost found himself on the scoresheet, rattling the post with a first-time shot from the edge of the box.

With the first half winding down, Jaden Servania attempted to take on two Greenville defenders, but was taken down in the box and the refs awarded NCFC another penalty. Mentzingen would step up again and this time he sent the keeper the wrong way.

NCFC would cede much of the possession in the second half, defending in their own half for much of the final 45 minutes. In spite of that, the NCFC defensive line would do a great job preventing any real threats on goal.

Once again coming off the bench, Garrett McLaughlin made an immediate impact, firing in a couple crosses and shots, but none of his efforts would come to fruition. Midfielder Raheem Somersall was also an injection of energy off the bench, orchestrating play from the middle of the field.

The hosts would find a late consolation goal through former NCFC Youth member Daniel Wu, but the defender's headed effort was too little too late.

Match Notes:

North Carolina FC jumps to the top of the USL League One table

Rafa Mentzingen scored his league-leading fifth goal of the season

Next Match

North Carolina FC heads to the west coast, visiting Central Valley Fuego FC. Kickoff is set for Friday, May 5 at 10:00 PM ET in Fresno, CA at Fresno State Soccer Stadium. You can watch the match, and all 2023 USL League One matches on ESPN+. You can also follow all of the action on North Carolina FC social platforms (@NorthCarolinaFC).

Quoting NCFC:

Head Coach John Bradford

On the performance...

"The immediate thought is I know the group is actually disappointed. Disappointed to concede there at the end, they really wanted the shutout and to get that as well as the result. But we have to concentrate on the three points and work on the details. It's been a good month, but that's going to be quickly behind us."

On NCFC's good start to the season...

"It's very early, we're certainly not going to get ahead of ourselves. We just want to concentrate on getting better and hopefully points continue to come as this group improves."

Midfielder Mikey Maldonado

On captaining the team...

"First time in my career, it's an honor. All of these guys are leaders, we all have our role, and I had mine tonight. Honestly it's just a band on the arm, everybody knows their role and makes it easy. Good to get 3 points in the end, but we know it should have been a clean sheet."

On the third consecutive win...

"It's a good high right now, but in this league you never know. You don't know what's gonna happen in the next game, the next one after that, so on. It's a good win, we take that, but next week is another tough match."

Defender Gustavo Fernandes

On his return to the starting lineup...

"It's always tough coming back in after missing a few games, but it's like riding a bike. David made it easy, he's a great player, so did Nelson and Chris. Being out of the lineup is never easy, but as long as we're playing well, getting wins, I don't mind. I'll play my role anywhere."

On the defensive performance...

"We played a really complete game, second half we absorbed a lot of the pressure. I think we played for 93 minutes, not 94. If we want to be a top, top team in this league we have to see out games, it's something to work on. But happy with the win, and happy to get three points."

Box Score:

NC (4-4-2): Nicholas Holliday, Nelson Flores Blanco, David Garcia, Gustavo Fernandes, Chris Lue Young, Mikey Maldonado ©, Luis Arriaga (Raheem Somersall - 59'), Louis Perez (Preston Popp - 75'), Rafa Mentzingen (DJ Benton - 87'), Jaden Servania (Max Flick - 87'), Oalex Anderson (Garrett McLaughlin - 59')

Subs Not Used: Tor Saunders, Shak Adams

GVL (4-5-1): Jared Mazzola, Jonah Biggar (Daniel Wu - 46'), Tyler Polak ©, Evan Lee, Hassan Gabo (Brandon Fricke - 63'), Aaron Walker, Noah Pilato (Lyam MacKinnon - 65'), Allen Gavilanes, Lucas Coutinho (Alex Cox-Ashwood - 80'), Devin Boyce, Leo Castro (Jacob Labovitz - 63')

Subs Not Used: Gunther Rankenburg, Nate Shultz

Score:

NC: 2

GVL: 1

Goals:

NC: L. Perez - 19', R. Mentzingen - 37'

GVL: D. Wu - 90'

Cautions:

NC: M. Maldonado - 45', P. Popp - 84'

GVL: H. Gabo - 18', T. Polak - 26', D. Boyce - 32'

Ejections:

NC: -

GVL: -

Check out the North Carolina FC Statistics



United Soccer League One Stories from April 29, 2023


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central