WINDSOR, C.O). (Sept. 23, 2023) — North Carolina FC take a 2-0 victory after their top of the table match up versus the Northern Colorado Hailstorm at Futures Legends Complex. North Carolina FC propel themselves atop the USL League One table with 56 points and a record of 17-7-5.
North Carolina FC held less than half of possession throughout the first half and pressed the heavily offensive Northern Colorado team. NCFC opened the scoring late in the first half, when Garrett McLaughlin hit a free kick into the upper left side of the goal. North Carolina went 1-0 going into the second half.
At the beginning of the second half, Oalex Anderson doubled the lead for North Carolina. Raheem Somersall passed a through ball to Anderson who drilled it into the far-right corner of the net. Anderson scored his 16th goal of the season, keeping him at second place in the Golden Boot race behind Northern Colorado’s Trevor Amann (20). North Carolina come home with 6 points and sit in first place in the USL League One standings.
Quoting NCFC
“Extremely proud of this group. This was an important result for us, and it took a full effort from all the guys tonight. We are pleased with this road trip and are looking forward to getting back home. We are going to need all the support and a packed house at WakeMed this coming Friday,” said head coach John Bradford.
“It feels amazing to be coming home with 6 points. I’m glad Louis let me take the free kick and get one in front of my parents. I feel this game was one of our most complete games. We all were together from start to finish. If we keep the same mentality and togetherness heading into Friday, I think we have a great chance to keep getting results,” said Garrett McLaughlin
“It feels great to get some quality results as a team on the road. I’m super proud of this group. Preparing for the Omaha game we just need to focus on ourselves and have belief in our group, “said Brooks Thompson.
Match Notes
- North Carolina have scored in their last 17 games in the USL League One, their longest run of games with a goal in the competition since a run of 18 games from 3rd April 2022 to 11th August 2022.
- O. Anderson has scored 16 goals this season (1 in this game), more than any other North Carolina player in the USL League One.
- G. McLaughlin has scored his eighth goal in the USL League One this season.
Next Match: North Carolina FC return home to face Union Omaha at home at WakeMed Soccer Park on Friday, September 29, in a matchup of the top two teams in the standings. The showdown with major regular season implications will stream live on ESPN+.
Box Score:
NCFC (4-4-2) Brooks Thompson, Devin Benton, Gustavo Fernandes, David Garcia, Christian Lue Young, Jaden Servania (Rafael Mentzingen – 88’), Michael Maldonado, Raheem Somersall, Louis Perez (Max Flick – 87’), Garrett McLaughlin (Luis Arriaga – 86’), Oalex Anderson (Nathan Ntalu – 74’)
Subs Not Used: Tor Saunders, Nelson Flores Blanco, Preston Popp
NCO (4-3-3): Edward Delgado, Lucky Onyebuchi Opara, Leo Folla (Valentín Sabella – 74’), Arthur Rogers, Bruno Rendón (Robert Cornwallm—56’), Billy King, Jackson Dietrich (Danny Robles – 56’) (Irvin Parra –80’), Nortei Nortey, Noah Powder, Trevor Amann, Stefan Lukic (Mark Hernández – 45’)
Subs Not Used: Johan Peñaranda, Enock Kwakwa
Score:
NCFC: 2
NCO: 0
Goals:
NCFC: G. McLaughlin – 40, O. Anderson – 58’ (R. Somersall),
NCO:
Cautions:
NCFC: C. Lue Young – 53’, D. Benton – 53, M. Maldonado – 56’
NCO: B. Rendón — 28′, R. Cornwall — 90+4′
Ejections:
NCFC: –
NCO: –
