CARY, N.C. (March 23, 2024) – North Carolina FC played to a 1-1 draw with the Tampa Bay Rowdies Saturday night at WakeMed Soccer Park. NCFC earns their second point of the season and moves to 0-1-2 on the year.
North Carolina held a 14-3 edge in shots, including 3-1 in shots on target. Despite that attacking edge, it was the visitors that opened the scoring. A corner insert deflected off of NCFC midfielder Mikey Maldonado and into the net for an own goal in the 63’ to get Tampa Bay on the board.
The home side responded in the 75’ when a picturesque cross by Louis Perez found Rafa Mentzingen on the back post where the Brazilian slammed home the equalizer for his first goal of 2024. NCFC, who led all USL League One teams in points from losing position in 2023, earned their first of this campaign.
Match Notes
- Oalex Anderson had a match-high four shots on target.
- Collin Martin passed at 88.9% accuracy for the night, completing 48 of 54 attempts.
Box Score
NCFC (3-4-2-1): Jake McGuire; Lamar Batista, Paco Craig (C), Justin Malou; Ezra Armstrong (Shaft Brewer— 90’+3), Collin Martin, Michael Maldonaldo, Rafael Mentzingen; Louis Perez (Jaden Servania— 87’), Rodrigo Da Costa (Garrett Mclaughlin— 87’), Oalex Anderson (Evan Conway—76’)
Subs Not Used: Antonio Carrera, Jacori Hayes, Kyrome Lumsden, Adrian Ortellao, Julian Placias
TBR (3-4-2-1): Jordan Farr; Forrest Lasso, Frederik Kleemann (Joey Dezart—46’), Aaron Guillen (C); Lewis Hilton, Blake Bodily, Daniel Crisostomo (Leo Fernandes—64’), Jordan Doherty; Damian Rivera (Joshua Perez—64’), Manuel Arteaga, Caleb Jennings
Subs Not Used: Nicholas Skubis, Cristian Ortiz, Philip Breno
Score: 1-1
NCFC: 1
TBR: 1
Goals:
NCFC: R. Mentingenzen—75’ (Perez)
TBR: M. Maldonaldo—63’ (OG)
Cautions:
NCFC:
TBR: TBR Bench —54’, J. Dezart—90’+2
Ejections:
NCFC: —
TBR: —
