HOLLY SPRINGS, N.C. (June 10, 2019) – Despite creating offensive pressure for the bulk of the night, North Carolina U23 found itself on the wrong end of a 1-0 result at Wake FC Monday night at Ting Park. In the 69th minute, the match was delayed because of lightning, and it took an hour and 23 minutes for play to resume.
NCFC U23, which entered the night in first place in USL League 2’s South Atlantic Division, fielded a starting lineup that included eight NCFC Academy players, including goalkeeper George Marks, who currently plays collegiately at Clemson.
It was nearly a dream start for NCFC U23, as forward Jeremy Kelly, of UNC, saw his effort off of a short corner kick curl just wide of the post.
Even after Wake FC went ahead in the sixth minute, NCFC U23 pressured the Wake FC defense for much of the opening 45 minutes but went into halftime trailing.
Head coach Tom Harris’ group continued to push for an equalizer and found itself in attacking positions, both before and after the lightning delay.
In the 85th minute, second-half substitute Alex Charles ambitiously volleyed an effort toward goal following a partial Wake FC clearance, but saw his shot go wide left, not far off frame.
In stoppage time alone, NCFC U23 amassed four corner kicks and came dangerously close to equalizing on chances by midfielder Lucas Del Rosario and forward Orlin Roque.
NCFC U23 returns to Koka Booth Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park to take on Virginia Beach United on June 18, at 7 p.m.
BOX SCORE
Wake FC: Sean Caulfield; Hassan Pinto (Jamil Garcia, 79’), Matthew Constant, Cyrus Raad, Spencer Glass; James Ellis (Ty Shipalane, 62’), AJ Palazzolo ©, Nehemie Lamtoukou, Nije Baboucarr (Bryce Meredith, 62’), Colin Daughtry; Kuda Muskwe
Subs not used: Nicholas Cournoyer, Yannick Shad, Daniel McDonald, Sheriff Secko
NCFC U23: George Marks ©; James Kasak (Parker Cross, 46’), Tyler Dressman (Camden Holbrook, 69’), Aidan Foster, David Mejia (Alex Charles, 69’); Mauricio Pineda, Dominic Jensen (Lucas Del Rosario, 46’), Robert Screen (Kalvin Kromer, 69); Jeremy Kelly, Alex Rose, Preston Popp (Orlin Roque, 60’)
Subs not used: Will Pulisic
Score
Wake FC: 1
NCFC U23: 0
Goals:
Wake FC: James Ellis (Nije Baboucarr, 6’)
NCFC U23:
Cautions:
Wake FC: James Ellis 43’, Kuda Muskwe 68’, Bryce Meredith 83’
NCFC U23: Preston Popp 20’, Mauricio Pineda 43’, Kalvin Kromer 86’
Ejections:
Wake FC:
NCFC U23:
###
HOLLY SPRINGS, N.C. (June 10, 2019) – Despite creating offensive pressure for the bulk of the night, North Carolina U23 found itself on the wrong end of a 1-0 result at Wake FC Monday night at Ting Park. In the 69th minute, the match was delayed because of lightning, and it took an hour and 23 minutes for play to resume.
NCFC U23, which entered the night in first place in USL League 2’s South Atlantic Division, fielded a starting lineup that included eight NCFC Academy players, including goalkeeper George Marks, who currently plays collegiately at Clemson.
It was nearly a dream start for NCFC U23, as forward Jeremy Kelly, of UNC, saw his effort off of a short corner kick curl just wide of the post.
Even after Wake FC went ahead in the sixth minute, NCFC U23 pressured the Wake FC defense for much of the opening 45 minutes but went into halftime trailing.
Head coach Tom Harris’ group continued to push for an equalizer and found itself in attacking positions, both before and after the lightning delay.
In the 85th minute, second-half substitute Alex Charles ambitiously volleyed an effort toward goal following a partial Wake FC clearance, but saw his shot go wide left, not far off frame.
In stoppage time alone, NCFC U23 amassed four corner kicks and came dangerously close to equalizing on chances by midfielder Lucas Del Rosario and forward Orlin Roque.
NCFC U23 returns to Koka Booth Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park to take on Virginia Beach United on June 18, at 7 p.m.
BOX SCORE
Wake FC: Sean Caulfield; Hassan Pinto (Jamil Garcia, 79’), Matthew Constant, Cyrus Raad, Spencer Glass; James Ellis (Ty Shipalane, 62’), AJ Palazzolo ©, Nehemie Lamtoukou, Nije Baboucarr (Bryce Meredith, 62’), Colin Daughtry; Kuda Muskwe
Subs not used: Nicholas Cournoyer, Yannick Shad, Daniel McDonald, Sheriff Secko
NCFC U23: George Marks ©; James Kasak (Parker Cross, 46’), Tyler Dressman (Camden Holbrook, 69’), Aidan Foster, David Mejia (Alex Charles, 69’); Mauricio Pineda, Dominic Jensen (Lucas Del Rosario, 46’), Robert Screen (Kalvin Kromer, 69); Jeremy Kelly, Alex Rose, Preston Popp (Orlin Roque, 60’)
Subs not used: Will Pulisic
Score
Wake FC: 1
NCFC U23: 0
Goals:
Wake FC: James Ellis (Nije Baboucarr, 6’)
NCFC U23:
Cautions:
Wake FC: James Ellis 43’, Kuda Muskwe 68’, Bryce Meredith 83’
NCFC U23: Preston Popp 20’, Mauricio Pineda 43’, Kalvin Kromer 86’
Ejections:
Wake FC:
NCFC U23:
###
