On a scorching hot day in the Queen City, the Blues battled the Charlotte Eagles to a 2-2 draw at Queens University Sports Complex.
On a day when momentum seemed to flip at the drop of a hat, the Eagles mustered the first pair of dangerous chances in the 24th and 26th minutes, but Francois Djiba answered the call both times, keeping the ball out of the net.
A minute later, the Eagles were awarded a penalty kick and KG Sukati stepped up to take it. Sukati converted, giving Charlotte a 1-0 lead.
After the PK conversion, there was a water break–and a massive change in momentum. Joaquin Brizuela drove down the left side of the pitch and unleashed a near post shot from inside the box that Jarrett Wuerslin was able to keep out.
The Blues kept pushing and finally broke through in the 40th minute. Liam Jones received a feed on the right flank and darted inside the box. Jones then launched a laser at the far post that beat Wuerslin and knotted things up at one a piece.
Five minutes later, Dante Huckaby played Brizuela inside of the box who hit it at net first-time but a Charlotte defender got a piece of it and blocked it out for a corner kick.
Asheville City grabbed a lead shortly after in the dying embers of the half. Huckaby found himself in space on the left flank again and threaded it to Ashton Bilow at the back post who tapped it home to give the Blues a 2-1 lead at the break.
Two minutes after play resumed, the Eagles nailed the crossbar with a blistering strike that resulted in a goal box scramble but the Blues were able to clear it. However, in the 51st minute, the Eagles knotted things up through Sukati’s second goal of the match. His rocket struck from the middle of the goal box found the net to tie things up at 2.
The Blues started battling back as Huckaby ripped a shot from outside of the box in the 63rd minute. For the final 20 minutes, the Blues’ press was giving Charlotte fits as most of the play remained in the Asheville attacking third. However, the Blues could not break through again and the points were shared in Charlotte.
Jack McDaid was named the Wicked Pie Player of the Match for his efforts on the night.
The Blues return home on Saturday June 13th, a part of a doubleheader with the Women’s squad. The Women go first as they play Swarm FC at 3:30 PM, while the Men host Appalachian FC at 7:00 PM. You can buy your tickets here.
