GREENVILLE, SC (June 29, 2022) – North Carolina FC fell to the league-leading Greenville Triumph on the road on Wednesday night, 3-1. Allen Gavilanes, Jacob Labovitz, and Jake Keegan tallied a goal apiece to secure three points for the home side, while Nicolás Molina scored the lone goal for NCFC in the final minute of the match. The contest also marked Raheem Somersall’s 50th USL League One appearance across four professional seasons, the midfielder recording minutes with FC Tucson, Tormenta, and NCFC throughout his playing career.
The Triumph drew first blood in tonight’s match, the scoring play beginning as Noah Pilato fed a driven ball into the NCFC box, intended for Gavilanes. Taking the pass in stride, Gavilanes took a single touch and placed a shot into the upper 90 to give Greenville the 1-0 edge nine minutes into the match. The 1-0 scoreline held through the rest of the half, despite several near chances at an equalizer from the combined efforts of Garrett McLaughlin, Oalex Anderson, and Showkat Tahir.
Greenville added a pair of goals to their lead in the second half, the first coming at the hands of Labovitz and the second from Keegan. Later, in stoppage time, Triumph goalkeeper Paul Christensen mishandled a passback from a defender, the ball falling to the feet of Molina with an open net now ahead. Putting away his second goal of the season, the Argentinian forward was able to get NCFC on the board as the final seconds ticked away, denying the Triumph a shutout.
NCFC will look to return to the win column this weekend as they travel to City Stadium in Richmond, VA to face the Kickers for the second time this season. The match will stream live on ESPN+, with kickoff set to take place at 7 p.m. ET.
Match Notes:
- Nicolás Molina scored his second goal of the season in stoppage time.
- Raheem Somersall recorded his 50th USL League One career appearance in tonight’s match.
- NCFC maintained 68% possession throughout the match.
Box Score:
NCFC (4-4-2): Will Pulisic, Gustavo Fernandes, Jordan Skelton ©, Britton Fischer (Nicolas Rincon – 72’), Christian Lue Young, Cole Frame, Raheem Somersall (Luis Arriaga – 72’), Showkat Tahir, Nelson Martinez, Oalex Anderson (Nicolás Molina – 57’), Garrett McLaughlin (Jaden Servania – 67’)
Subs Not Used: Nicholas Holliday, Max Flick, Nelson Flores Blanco
GVL (4-4-2): Paul Christensen, Tyler Polak, Evan Lee, Brandon Fricke (Jamie Smith – 71’), Nate Shultz, Allen Gavilanes (Jesus Ibarra – 45’), Noah Pilato (Miles Fenton – 82’), Don Smart (Aaron Walker – 45’), Lucas Coutinho (Nico Brown – 57’), Jake Keegan, Jacob Labovitz
Subs Not Used: Ben Hale, Jimmy Filerman
Score:
NCFC: 1
GVL: 3
Goals:
NCFC: Nicolás Molina – 90+4’
GVL: Allen Gavilanes – 9’, Jacob Labovitz – 57’, Jake Keegan – 59’
Cautions:
NCFC: Christian Lue Young – 85’
GVL: Noah Pilato – 22’
Ejections:
NCFC: —
GVL: –