Following a 5-0 win on May 17th against Southern Soccer Academy, Asheville City SC recorded the double over the Swarm with a 4-1 victory at Greenwood Field. Asheville striker Sebastian Tregarthen headlined the result with his 2 goal performance, recording three goal contributions total. 

The Men of Asheville applied the pressure early, nearly grabbing their first goal in just the third minute. Right winger Steven Hernandez sliced the defense open with a superb through ball to Tregarthen into the box, who knocked a powerful strike into the outside netting. 

It didn’t take much longer for the Blues to finally get their first goal. After dominating in possession for much of the first 15 minutes, Asheville looked to attack through the wings. Receiving the ball on the right, Hernadez lobbed a cross into the middle of the box, where Tregarthen chested the ball down to his feet and struck a powerful half-volley past Kyle Jansen for the Blues’ first goal of the night. 

In the 22nd minute, SSA found their first real opportunity of the match, as Oscar Ford beat Luke Jeffus with a step over and struck a low, driven shot towards the bottom right corner, just nearly missing the far post. Despite this surge in the attack, Asheville immediately pushed towards the opposition’s goal. 

Within just two minutes, the Blues found their second goal of the night. Tregarthen played a simple pass to Simon Carlson at the top of the box, who, with great composure, quickly received the ball and ripped a strike into the top right corner of the net. 2-0 to the Blues. 

In the 31st minute, Southern Soccer Academy found the net for the first time, as Oscar Ford played a low cross into the middle of the box, where Gavin Williams hit it first time past Jonathan Mennell. The goal would be their first and only of the night. 

Despite the momentum shifting after SSA’s goal, the Blues continued to remain a threat going forward. In the 43rd minute, a lofted header from Carlson found centerback Dylan Kropp at the top of the box, who, in acrobatic fashion, first time volleyed it from his side into the back of the net. Greenwood Field erupted after the puskas-worthy moment as the Blues took a resounding 3-1 lead at the half. 

The much-needed halftime break for SSA proved to be futile, as Asheville immediately opened the second half with another great opportunity. The Uruguayan starboy Tregarthen thrust himself into action yet again, blowing past the Swarm defense and hitting a powerful, low strike just past the left post. 

Despite his name not appearing on the scoresheet tonight, Lewis Johnson had himself an excellent performance, acting as a constant threat on the left side. In the 53rd minute, Johnson nearly got his goal as he lured the right back outside and then quickly cut inside, feeding a shot just past the left post. 

The fourth goal for the Blues was a prime example of how dangerous the linkup between Tregarthen and Carlson can be. After some wonderful interplay in the midfield, Carlson launched a perfect long ball across the field to Tregarthen, who quickly took a few touches and smashed it into the right corner for his second goal of the night. Both Carlson and Tregarthen recorded three goal contributions each. 

The second half was an attacking masterclass by the Men of Asheville, in which they recorded 21 shots (31 total). With the likes of Rodrigo Robles and Diego Ossa coming off the bench, the Blues attack was replenished, creating chance after chance up until the final whistle. 

In the 85th minute, Asheville almost recorded their fifth goal of the night in a controversial no-call on the goal line. Following an impressive run down the sideline and with the keeper out of his net, Robles attempted to sneak the ball in, but was denied by a goal-line clearance. While it seemed as if the ball had crossed the line, the ref let play continue on. Regardless of the call, Asheville would go on to win 4-1 over SSA. 

After the victory, Head Coach Scott Wells propped up his squad, explaining “this group’s different from the last two years. The group is all about, you know, just kind of sticking to their goals and their journey and not worrying about their opponent…the boys are just out there and honestly executing really well.”

Tonight’s atmosphere impressed Highland Brewing Man of the Match Sebastian Tregarthen as well, who, with a grin, explained “for my first match being in Asheville, it was a pleasure”. 

The Blues, who are now 5-1-1 versus Southern Soccer Academy all-time, maintain their first place position in the South Central Division standings. They will head to Athens, Georgia on May 28th to face the newly-formed Athens FC. Athens FC drew 1-1 to Birmignham Legion in their first ever match.

The Women of Asheville will travel to Chattanooga to face the fifth-place Chattanooga Red Wolves on Sunday, as they look to move into first place with a Tennessee SC loss or draw. They currently sit in second with two wins and a draw.