CARY, NC (April 21, 2023) — Fresh off a big 2-1 win at Union Omaha, North Carolina FC picked up a second consecutive victory, defeating Chattanooga Red Wolves SC 3-0. The win sends NCFC top of the USL League One table ahead of tomorrow’s fixtures.
Oalex Anderson grabbed the first goal of the match in the 45th minute, but the goal was long coming. John Bradford’s side were on top for much of the first half and could have had two or three goals in the opening 40 minutes on another night.
The best chances came from Rafa Mentzingen and Louis Perez playing an incredible one-touch sequence, and Mikey Maldonado sending Anderson through one on one with the keeper. Mentzingen’s effort went wide of the post, and Anderson saw his shot saved.
Anderson would convert his second one on one of the match, converting through the keepers legs on the brink of halftime. Maldonado once again was the source of the attack, sliding a perfect through ball to put Anderson one on one.
NCFC wouldn’t breeze into halftime, with defender David Garcia giving away a penalty moments after the goal. Ryley Kraft stepped up for the penalty, but Nick Holliday made a huge save to keep the hosts in front at the break.
In the second half, NCFC would put the game to bed in the first 20 minutes thanks to former Chattanooga Red Wolf, Rafa Mentzingen. Mentzingen converted in the 57th and 66th minute, with Anderson and substitute Garrett McLaughlin providing the assists.
NCFC would see out the three goal advantage and coast to its second consecutive victory. The defense kept their first clean sheet of the 2023 season.
Match Notes:
- This is NCFC’s first ever win over Chattanooga
- The win sends NCFC top of the table
Next Match
North Carolina FC will travel to Greenville, SC as they visit Greenville Triumph SC. Kickoff is set for Saturday, April 29, at 7:00 PM ET at Legacy Early College Field. The match, and all regular season USL League One matches, will be streamed on ESPN+. You can follow all the action and get all updates from North Carolina FC social channels (@NorthCarolinaFC).
Quoting NCFC:
Head Coach John Bradford
On the match…
“Obviously to get a multi-goal and shutout at home in the same performance is good. We were trying to get out first shutout of the season and the guys dug in for that. A lot of chances created, can’t say enough about the timeliness of Nick Holliday’s save. To be 17-years-old and the only starting goalkeeper that I can think of in a professional league, to make that save was excellent.”
On the attack…
“We have freedom for our players and we have guys who are talented, who combine with one another in unselfish ways. You can see they’re trying to encourage each other to get shots off and put guys into spaces. There’s a lot of times they can take their own shots but they make one better [extra pass] for their teammates. The more they continue to be bought into the group success, the better we’ll be.”
Goalkeeper Nick Holliday
On the penalty save…
“It was a big moment in the game to keep it at 1-0, so I’m really happy. We watch a lot of film, I watched him as a player, so I was prepared and knew where to go when game time came. There was a lot going on in the background that happened to make the save, so super grateful for my coaches.”
Defender Nelson Flores Blanco
On the match…
“I’m happy with the performance the team gave today. I thought we were the better team the whole game. Really good combinations, some high low combinations. For me, the team is very high level. We keep getting better every week, super proud of the guys.”
On the clean sheet…
“Super happy with the clean sheet, because we’ve been close every game. Nick Holliday coming up big, he’s getting better every week, growing more confidence, he’s still a young kid and making a save in a crucial moment like that is huge.”
Box Score:
NC (4-4-2): Nicholas Holliday, Nelson Flores Blanco, Daniel Navarro ©, David Garcia, Chris Lue Young, Luis Arriaga (Raheem Somersall – 61’), Mikey Maldonado, Rafael Mentzingen (Shak Adams – 71’), Louis Perez (Preston Popp – 71’), Jaden Servania (Gustavo Fernandes – 88’), Oalex Anderson (Garrett McLaughlin – 61’)
Subs Not Used: Tor Saunders, DJ Benton
CHA (4-5-1): Carlos Avilez, Aaron Lombardi, Mekeil Williams, Nico Cardona, Jackson Brady, Andrew Paoli (Felipe Liborio Jr. – 80’), Ualefi Aos Reis © (Chevone Marsh – 61’), Mayele Mulango (Ernesto Espinoza – 67’), Ryley Kraft, Walter Varela, Alex Tejera (Ropapa Mensah – 80’)
Subs Not Used: Ricardo Jerez, Yahir Paez, Pedro Hernandez
Score:
NC: 3
CHA: 0
Goals:
NC: O. Anderson – 45’, R. Mentzingen – 57’, R. Mentzingen – 66’
CHA:
Cautions:
NC: D. Navarro – 41’, D. Garcia – 45+1’, J. Servania – 75’, M. Maldonado – 82’
CHA: A. Tejera – 30’, A. Paoli – 65’, C. Marsh – 72’
Ejections:
NC: –
CHA: –