The Women of Asheville claimed a massive 2-1 win over the Greenville Liberty on June 10th, powered by Riley Thompson’s brace.

Things got going quickly as the Liberty had the first big chance in the fourth minute. Christian Brathwaite drove down the center of the pitch and launched a shot towards the bottom right corner but CJ Graham was able to get down and make the save.

Asheville would create their first bit of danger in the 12th minute when Ilana Izquierdo’s corner found the head of Eileen Murphy near post around the 6 but she could not steer her header on frame.

In the 18th minute, Asheville created another chance when Abby Boyan slipped Kennedy Bell in down the right flank. Bell took it to the touchline and sent a cross into the box that met the noggin of Addie Porter but her header would go wide.

Asheville would come close to finding the opener after an Izquierdo corner would cause danger again. After a couple of deflections, the ball would bounce at the feet of Halle Skibo, who tried to place her half-volley into the upper left corner but the shot sailed high.

The Blues would keep the pressure on the Greenville backline with another corner in the 25th minute. Izquierdo would again find Murphy who would drive her header towards the bottom left corner of the net but Georgia Katsonouri was able to make the diving save.

Asheville would finally find the opener in the 30th minute, courtesy of Riley Thompson’s first goal of the night. Porter sent a through ball into the right side of the box that Thompson would run onto and calmly tuck into the bottom left corner for a 1-0 Asheville lead.

In the 35th minute, Greenville would begin their push for the equalizer. A freekick in a dangerous position was hit towards the 6 by Giulia Rodrigues and after a couple of bounces and deflections the ball would pop over Graham before Eileen Murphy cleared it but the play was called off anyways for offsides.

In the 38th minute, Bell would threaten to get another one for the Blues. Bell dribbled down the flank and would get in behind the Greenville defender before sending a close-range shot from a narrow angle at the Liberty net but Katsonouri was equal to the opportunity.

The 2nd half was relatively quiet for a bit before the Blues seemed to have found their 2nd in the 61st minute. After a Boyan cross was deflected the ball slowly rolled towards the center of the box. Katsonouri dove to try and cover the ball but Thompson beat her to it and pushed it away before turning around and chipping it into the left side netting. However, the referee ruled that Thompson fouled Katsonouri while going for the ball and the goal did not count.

Just a minute later, Izquierdo would receive the ball on the right flank and drive towards the center of the field. Izquierdo would lay it off for Thompson who drove left and ripped a shot from just outside the box but Katsonouri would make the low save in the center of the foal to keep Greenville within reach.

In the 66th minute, Parker Roberts had a chance to extend the Blues’ lead. Thompson would tee her up just outside the box in the right half-space but her knuckleballing attempt was fired just wide.

In the 67th minute, Roberts again had a great chance to extend Asheville’s lead when Izquierdo served up a great ball off of a freekick to her, but her glancing header would go just past the near post.

In the 69th minute, Greenville would tie the game at 1 a piece. A corner kick for the Liberty led to a rebound from a blocked shot rolling outside of the box where Haley Schueppert scooped it up and fired a curling shot into the upper left corner to bring Greenville even.

In the 74th minute, Greenville came dangerously close to finding another if it was not for a brilliant save from CJ Graham. Brathwaite would corral a rebound off of a free kick and chip a ball into the box that landed at the feet of Lauren Harkes to put her in a 1-on-1 situation with the goalie. Harkes would drive near post on the left side and launch a shot at Graham but Graham was able to make the stop and keep things tied.

“CJ is always prepared, every time she comes out. I think she was motivated with this home crowd and being a hometown player. Just really put her best foot forward and I’m really proud of the way she played,” said Head Coach Billy Lesesne.

The Blues would come right back down the pitch in the 75th minute when Maison Wells warded off a defender on the right flank before dribbling into the half-space and hammering a shot from a tough angle but it careened off of the far post.

In the 77th minute, Porter would receive a pass in the center of the box and take a shot right at Katsonouri who coughed up the rebound, Porter would chase after it before being pushed down from behind by a Greenville defender but shouts for a penalty went unanswered.

In the 79th minute however, a moment of brilliance from Thompson would restore the Asheville lead. Izquierdo would send a long diagonal ball into the box towards Thompson about ten yards out on the right-center side of the net. Thompson watched the ball fall over her right shoulder before her leg snatched the ball out of the air like a venus flytrap and laced a volley into the bottom left corner. 

“She didn’t play our last game because of a calf injury so she was excited about getting back out there. And you could tell by her energy, her enthusiasm, and her quality, all that came together tonight, so really proud of her,” said Lesesne.

Thompson’s wonder goal would be enough to lift the Blues over the Liberty 2-1 in a high-octane match with plenty of chances for both sides.

“The pace of the game was very fast, I thought both teams played well. I think that it was a really good match and I’m excited that we came out on top at the end of that,” said Lesesne.

For her efforts on the night, Riley Thompson was awarded the Highland Brewing Wishing Star of the Match.

Up next for the Women, a date with Wake FC on the road on June 13th.

The Men return home to Greenwood Field on June 13th, as they have a massive matchup with South Carolina Bantams up next on the docket.