Cary, N.C. (June 18, 2019) – In a battle between two teams even on points in the USL League 2 South Atlantic Division, North Carolina U23 earned an important 2-1 win over Virginia Beach United Tuesday night at Koka Booth Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park.
With four games remaining in the regular season, NCFC U23 is 5W-5L-0D (15 points) and in possession of first place.
The youth-to-pro pipeline was clearly evident Tuesday, with six current and former members of the NCFC Youth Academy included in head coach Tom Harris’ starting lineup and an additional six named to the bench. Among the six in the starting lineup was Alex Rose, of UNC, who recorded a brace and opened the scoring for NCFC U23 in the 24th minute.
Following a sustained period of early pressure, NCFC U23 found the back of the net for the first time when midfielder Mauricio Pineda accurately placed a pass beyond the Virginia Beach United backline, which Rose tracked down before chipping opposing goalkeeper Oliver Padilla.
After controlling the possession for much of the first half, NCFC U23 took a 1-0 lead into halftime. Out of the break, Harris’ group wasn’t content with just one goal and was eager in its pursuit for a second. Second-half substitute Jack Skahan was a nuisance on the right flanking, forcing multiple corner kicks. In the 76th minute, midfielder Miles Peay, of UNC Asheville, let off a booming shot from beyond the area that nearly produced a wonder goal but instead ricocheted off the right post.
Eventually, NCFC U23 added what proved to be a crucial second goal in the 85th minute. After controlling the ball in the 18-yard-box, Rose fired a shot past Virginia Beach United’s Padilla, giving NCFC U23 some insurance.
For much of the night, the visitors struggled against NCFC U23 goalkeeper George Marks, but ultimately got on the board with a goal in stoppage time. From that point on, NCFC U23 was able to see the result out.
Moving forward, NCFC U23 returns to action at home on Friday, June 28, against the Tri-City Otters at 7 p.m.
BOX SCORE
NCFC U23: George Marks ©; David Mejia, Zeico Harris (Aidan Foster, 46’), James Dressman, James Kazak (Parker Cross, 59’); Mauricio Pineda, Robert Screen (Alex Charles, 85’), Julian Ngoh (Miles Peay, 26’); Alex Rose, Preston Popp (Jack Skahan, 60’), Jeremy Kelly (Camden Holbrook, 68’)
Subs not used: Alex McCauley
Virginia Beach United: Oliver Padilla; Friedrich Peter, Matthew Ridley, Samuel Pollard (Adam Gannon, 46’), Joseph Barakat (Curtis Kirby, 46’); Roland Aguilera © (Zak Tom, 43’), Blake Leonetti (Oliver Peters, 82’), Luis Martinez, Guilherme Leme (Thomas White, 35’), Jesus Corona Rojas (Dimitri Roumeliotis, 67’); Donnett Sackie
Subs not used: Brett Johnson
Score
NCFC U23: 2
Virginia Beach United: 1
Goals:
NCFC U23: Alex Rose (Mauricio Pineda, 24’), Alex Rose (unassisted, 85’)
Virginia Beach United FC: Donnett Sackie (unassisted, 90+4)
Cautions:
NCFC U23: Jeremy Kelly, 68’; George Marks, 90+3.
Virginia Beach United: Dimitri Roumeliotis, 75’; Oliver Peters, 84’
Ejections:
NCFC U23: —
Virginia Beach United: –
###
Cary, N.C. (June 18, 2019) – In a battle between two teams even on points in the USL League 2 South Atlantic Division, North Carolina U23 earned an important 2-1 win over Virginia Beach United Tuesday night at Koka Booth Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park.
With four games remaining in the regular season, NCFC U23 is 5W-5L-0D (15 points) and in possession of first place.
The youth-to-pro pipeline was clearly evident Tuesday, with six current and former members of the NCFC Youth Academy included in head coach Tom Harris’ starting lineup and an additional six named to the bench. Among the six in the starting lineup was Alex Rose, of UNC, who recorded a brace and opened the scoring for NCFC U23 in the 24th minute.
Following a sustained period of early pressure, NCFC U23 found the back of the net for the first time when midfielder Mauricio Pineda accurately placed a pass beyond the Virginia Beach United backline, which Rose tracked down before chipping opposing goalkeeper Oliver Padilla.
After controlling the possession for much of the first half, NCFC U23 took a 1-0 lead into halftime. Out of the break, Harris’ group wasn’t content with just one goal and was eager in its pursuit for a second. Second-half substitute Jack Skahan was a nuisance on the right flanking, forcing multiple corner kicks. In the 76th minute, midfielder Miles Peay, of UNC Asheville, let off a booming shot from beyond the area that nearly produced a wonder goal but instead ricocheted off the right post.
Eventually, NCFC U23 added what proved to be a crucial second goal in the 85th minute. After controlling the ball in the 18-yard-box, Rose fired a shot past Virginia Beach United’s Padilla, giving NCFC U23 some insurance.
For much of the night, the visitors struggled against NCFC U23 goalkeeper George Marks, but ultimately got on the board with a goal in stoppage time. From that point on, NCFC U23 was able to see the result out.
Moving forward, NCFC U23 returns to action at home on Friday, June 28, against the Tri-City Otters at 7 p.m.
BOX SCORE
NCFC U23: George Marks ©; David Mejia, Zeico Harris (Aidan Foster, 46’), James Dressman, James Kazak (Parker Cross, 59’); Mauricio Pineda, Robert Screen (Alex Charles, 85’), Julian Ngoh (Miles Peay, 26’); Alex Rose, Preston Popp (Jack Skahan, 60’), Jeremy Kelly (Camden Holbrook, 68’)
Subs not used: Alex McCauley
Virginia Beach United: Oliver Padilla; Friedrich Peter, Matthew Ridley, Samuel Pollard (Adam Gannon, 46’), Joseph Barakat (Curtis Kirby, 46’); Roland Aguilera © (Zak Tom, 43’), Blake Leonetti (Oliver Peters, 82’), Luis Martinez, Guilherme Leme (Thomas White, 35’), Jesus Corona Rojas (Dimitri Roumeliotis, 67’); Donnett Sackie
Subs not used: Brett Johnson
Score
NCFC U23: 2
Virginia Beach United: 1
Goals:
NCFC U23: Alex Rose (Mauricio Pineda, 24’), Alex Rose (unassisted, 85’)
Virginia Beach United FC: Donnett Sackie (unassisted, 90+4)
Cautions:
NCFC U23: Jeremy Kelly, 68’; George Marks, 90+3.
Virginia Beach United: Dimitri Roumeliotis, 75’; Oliver Peters, 84’
Ejections:
NCFC U23: —
Virginia Beach United: –
###
