Match RecaP | Asheville City SC 1, Knoxville Force 2
POSTED BY: ASHEVILLE CITY SC, MAY 29th, 2017 - Photos Courtesy of Alex Hamilton
In this highly anticipated rematch, Asheville City Soccer Club traveled to Sansom Sports Complex to face Southeastern Conference rival, the Knoxville Force. In their last match, Asheville's Jascha Glueckschalt scored an equalizer in the fourth minute of stoppage time off of a penalty kick. This goal tied the game 1-1 and salvaged one point for the Blues, moving them into second place in the conference. Coming off a few short days of rest, the stage was set for another electrifying match.
With temperatures in the mid 70s and clear skies over the city of Knoxville, Asheville City readied themselves for their second away competition of the season. As the whistle sounded, the Force pressed an early aggressive offense and found a quick goal in the sixth minute of play. Looking to equalize the Blues stormed down the field, firing on goal and keeping the pressure on the Force defenders.
As the game progressed, physical play incensed fans and players alike as pleas for caution cards and fouls could be heard from the stands. In the 27th minute, contact with Asheville City’s defender Grady Bradshaw resulted in a yellow card for the Knoxville Force. Taking the free kick, Asheville City fought on towards an equalizer.
In 40th minute, Asheville City’s Cameron Saul earned a free kick in Knoxville Force territory. Attempting to spread the field, Asheville’s Brady Blackwell took the free kick and lobed a pass to forward Christian Szalay in the right corner of the pitch. Szalay contained the ball and passed it back to defender Jack Miller. Miller then fired a powerful strike towards the top left corner of the goal where it met the head of Asheville striker Elma N’For. The ball stormed into the back of the net and the fans in blue excitedly celebrated the beautifully executed goal.
Following halftime, the Knoxville Force returned on a mission and fulfilled that objective by quickly scoring a go ahead goal in the 47th minute. However, Asheville’s Tom Deeley would not be dismayed. Following an unselfish cross in the front of the net by center midfielder Ryan Murphy, Deeley tied the game with an effortless touch in the 55th minute. The exciting matchup now stood gridlocked at 2-2.
As the sunset on Sansom Sports Complex, the Force and Blues battled on. In the 72nd minute of the match, slight contact from behind a Force forward resulted in a downed player and an ensuing penalty kick. Asheville goalie Parker Siegfried, from the University of Ohio State, readied for the strike. The initial shot was blocked as Siegfried who correctly dove to the left goal post. However, the ricochet landed back at the feet of the Knoxville forward who scored the easy goal.
The Blues continued to fight through the closing minutes of the match but when the final seconds had ticked off the clock, the Force maintained their one goal lead. In their next match, the Asheville City Soccer Club will square off against FC Carolina Discoveries at Queens University in Charlotte, NC.
With temperatures in the mid 70s and clear skies over the city of Knoxville, Asheville City readied themselves for their second away competition of the season. As the whistle sounded, the Force pressed an early aggressive offense and found a quick goal in the sixth minute of play. Looking to equalize the Blues stormed down the field, firing on goal and keeping the pressure on the Force defenders.
As the game progressed, physical play incensed fans and players alike as pleas for caution cards and fouls could be heard from the stands. In the 27th minute, contact with Asheville City’s defender Grady Bradshaw resulted in a yellow card for the Knoxville Force. Taking the free kick, Asheville City fought on towards an equalizer.
In 40th minute, Asheville City’s Cameron Saul earned a free kick in Knoxville Force territory. Attempting to spread the field, Asheville’s Brady Blackwell took the free kick and lobed a pass to forward Christian Szalay in the right corner of the pitch. Szalay contained the ball and passed it back to defender Jack Miller. Miller then fired a powerful strike towards the top left corner of the goal where it met the head of Asheville striker Elma N’For. The ball stormed into the back of the net and the fans in blue excitedly celebrated the beautifully executed goal.
Following halftime, the Knoxville Force returned on a mission and fulfilled that objective by quickly scoring a go ahead goal in the 47th minute. However, Asheville’s Tom Deeley would not be dismayed. Following an unselfish cross in the front of the net by center midfielder Ryan Murphy, Deeley tied the game with an effortless touch in the 55th minute. The exciting matchup now stood gridlocked at 2-2.
As the sunset on Sansom Sports Complex, the Force and Blues battled on. In the 72nd minute of the match, slight contact from behind a Force forward resulted in a downed player and an ensuing penalty kick. Asheville goalie Parker Siegfried, from the University of Ohio State, readied for the strike. The initial shot was blocked as Siegfried who correctly dove to the left goal post. However, the ricochet landed back at the feet of the Knoxville forward who scored the easy goal.
The Blues continued to fight through the closing minutes of the match but when the final seconds had ticked off the clock, the Force maintained their one goal lead. In their next match, the Asheville City Soccer Club will square off against FC Carolina Discoveries at Queens University in Charlotte, NC.
Match replay courtesy of Scruffy City Syndicate
ASHEVILLE CITY SC STARTING XI: Blackwell, Bradshaw, Deeley, Glueckschalt, Miller, Murphy (C), N'For, Saul, Seery, Siegfried, Szalay
MATCH MOMENTS:
4' - GOAL - Knoxville Force - Tim Baker puts in an early goal after an aggressive start from the Force.
27' - CARD - Knoxville Force - Juan Zapata receives a yellow card for unsporting behavior .
29' - SUB - Knoxville Force - James Dunn is subbed out for Connor Jacobs.
40' - GOAL - Asheville City SC - Elma N'For with the header to tie the game, assisted by Jack Miller.
46' - SUB - Asheville City SC - Nick Boegemann comes on for Grady Bradshaw.
47' - GOAL - Knoxville Force - Joe Pickering puts the Force ahead shortly after the break.
54' - GOAL - Asheville City SC - Tom Deeley shows his magic again with a great cross from Captain Ryan Murphy.
60' - SUB - Knoxville Force - Polymnios Avgousti takes the spot of starter Rury Alvarez.
62' - SUB - Asheville City SC - Mitch Botfield replaces Christian Szalay.
71'- GOAL - Knoxville Force - Ashley Kelynack puts away the rebound from a blocked penalty kick.
78'- SUB - Knoxville Force - Chris Inman replaces Cameron Schneider.
79'- SUB - Asheville City SC - Izaiah Vignali comes on for Cameron Saul.
80'- SUB - Asheville City SC - Jesse Foreman replaces Tom Seery.
84'- SUB - Asheville City SC - Jaoa Burti takes the place of Ryan Murphy.
FULL TIME - ACSC 1 - KF 2
