Durham, N.C. (July 6, 2019) – Despite goals from Cam Holbrook and Robert Screen, NCFC U23 saw its three-match winning streak come to an end Saturday night, as it found itself on the wrong end of a 4-2 result at Tobacco Road FC.
With one match remaining in the USL League 2 regular season, NCFC U23 holds a 7W-6L-0D record (21 points).
The youth-to-pro pipeline was evident Saturday, with eight current or former members of the NCFC Youth Academy named in the starting lineup and an additional six included on the bench.
On a night where NCFC U23 created a bevy of chances, the opening goal came early. In just the seventh minute, Cam Holbrook gave NCFC U23 its first lead of the game. Making a run toward goal, Holbrook, of Appalachian State, tapped in Alex Rose’s on-target cross from just a few yards out, as there was nothing Tobacco Road goalkeeper Zac Scott could do.
After Tobacco Road drew even, NCFC nearly regained the lead in the 28th minute with a duplicate of its opening goal, with Rose, of UNC, once again setting up Holbrook. Only this time, Holbrook was unlucky to see his close-range effort deflect off the crossbar.
Despite having an advantage in chances created, NCFC found itself trailing 2-1 at halftime, as Tobacco Road took the lead in the 34th minute.
But head coach Tom Harris’ team eagerly searched for an equalizer out of the break, and one came in the 56th minute. Robert Screen converted from the penalty spot to make it a 2-2 game after Tobacco Road's Tyler Agiovlassits was shown a red card for taking down Preston Popp, who was in on goal after dispossessing Agiovlassits of the ball. The goal was the second in as many games for Screen, a University of Kentucky product.
Against the run of play, Tobacco Road regained the lead in the 73rd minute on a penalty kick and would eventually add one more goal.
Moving forward, NCFC U23 concludes the regular season with an away match against NC Fusion U23 on Wednesday, July 10, at Macpherson Stadium at 7 p.m.
BOX SCORE
TRFC: Zac Scott; Matthew Cuttler, Vincente Gallardo, Tyler Agiovlassits, William Ramirez; Antonio Lopez (Charles Williams, 75’), Javier Alcarria (Ibrahim Diouf, 91’), Joaquin del Rosario Ludovic Rocha, 65’); Taff Wadda, Pol Monells, Dario Pavon (Quinton Kipara, 80’)
Subs not used: James Johnson, Emmanuel Petrov
NCFC U23: Will Pulisic; David Mejia (Orlin Roque, 80’), Tyler Dressman (Delasi Batse, 46’), Aidan Foster, Adam Armour; Mauricio Pineda, Ricardo Yofre (Gabe Mercer, 46’), Robert Screen; Jeremy Kelly, Cam Holbrook (Preston Popp, 46’), Alex Rose
Subs not used: Trace Alphin, Aidan Whitlock
Score
TRFC: 4
NCFC U23: 2
Goals:
TRFC: Taff Wadda (unassisted, 14’), Taff Wadda (unassisted, 34’), Taff Wadda (penalty, 73’), Dario Pavon (Taff Wadda, 76’)
NCFC U23: Cam Holbrook (Alex Rose, 7’), Robert Screen (penalty, 56’)
Cautions:
TRFC: –
NCFC U23: – Aidan Foster, 43’; David Mejia, 52’
Ejections:
TRFC: Tyler Agiovlassits, 55’
NCFC U23: –
###
Durham, N.C. (July 6, 2019) – Despite goals from Cam Holbrook and Robert Screen, NCFC U23 saw its three-match winning streak come to an end Saturday night, as it found itself on the wrong end of a 4-2 result at Tobacco Road FC.
With one match remaining in the USL League 2 regular season, NCFC U23 holds a 7W-6L-0D record (21 points).
The youth-to-pro pipeline was evident Saturday, with eight current or former members of the NCFC Youth Academy named in the starting lineup and an additional six included on the bench.
On a night where NCFC U23 created a bevy of chances, the opening goal came early. In just the seventh minute, Cam Holbrook gave NCFC U23 its first lead of the game. Making a run toward goal, Holbrook, of Appalachian State, tapped in Alex Rose’s on-target cross from just a few yards out, as there was nothing Tobacco Road goalkeeper Zac Scott could do.
After Tobacco Road drew even, NCFC nearly regained the lead in the 28th minute with a duplicate of its opening goal, with Rose, of UNC, once again setting up Holbrook. Only this time, Holbrook was unlucky to see his close-range effort deflect off the crossbar.
Despite having an advantage in chances created, NCFC found itself trailing 2-1 at halftime, as Tobacco Road took the lead in the 34th minute.
But head coach Tom Harris’ team eagerly searched for an equalizer out of the break, and one came in the 56th minute. Robert Screen converted from the penalty spot to make it a 2-2 game after Tobacco Road’s Tyler Agiovlassits was shown a red card for taking down Preston Popp, who was in on goal after dispossessing Agiovlassits of the ball. The goal was the second in as many games for Screen, a University of Kentucky product.
Against the run of play, Tobacco Road regained the lead in the 73rd minute on a penalty kick and would eventually add one more goal.
Moving forward, NCFC U23 concludes the regular season with an away match against NC Fusion U23 on Wednesday, July 10, at Macpherson Stadium at 7 p.m.
BOX SCORE
TRFC: Zac Scott; Matthew Cuttler, Vincente Gallardo, Tyler Agiovlassits, William Ramirez; Antonio Lopez (Charles Williams, 75’), Javier Alcarria (Ibrahim Diouf, 91’), Joaquin del Rosario Ludovic Rocha, 65’); Taff Wadda, Pol Monells, Dario Pavon (Quinton Kipara, 80’)
Subs not used: James Johnson, Emmanuel Petrov
NCFC U23: Will Pulisic; David Mejia (Orlin Roque, 80’), Tyler Dressman (Delasi Batse, 46’), Aidan Foster, Adam Armour; Mauricio Pineda, Ricardo Yofre (Gabe Mercer, 46’), Robert Screen; Jeremy Kelly, Cam Holbrook (Preston Popp, 46’), Alex Rose
Subs not used: Trace Alphin, Aidan Whitlock
Score
TRFC: 4
NCFC U23: 2
Goals:
TRFC: Taff Wadda (unassisted, 14’), Taff Wadda (unassisted, 34’), Taff Wadda (penalty, 73’), Dario Pavon (Taff Wadda, 76’)
NCFC U23: Cam Holbrook (Alex Rose, 7’), Robert Screen (penalty, 56’)
Cautions:
TRFC: –
NCFC U23: – Aidan Foster, 43’; David Mejia, 52’
Ejections:
TRFC: Tyler Agiovlassits, 55’
NCFC U23: –
###
