Frisco, TX- A game of cards, a game of goals! The Greenville Triumph coming out on the right side as they serve North Texas SC their first loss at home 4-0.
The match started slowly as the Triumph defense sat in on the league-leading North Texas offense. Action quickly picked up as North Texas midfielder, Edwin Cerrillo, was automatically ejected by a red card after a high-kick challenge against Triumph midfielder, Max Hemmings.
Using the momentum of a sound first half and playing up a man on North Texas, the Triumph struck in the 62′ minute with a goal from Aaron Walker. Tyler Polak set up the goal, drawing two defenders before dishing it to a wide open Walker who laced a low-driven a low driven ball swiftly passed the North Texas goalie, Avilez Mojica.
Two minutes later (64′), the Triumph co-captain,Tyler Polak, played a beautifully threaded ball into the run of forward, Jake Keegan. Keegan finishing in class – between the goaltender’s legs – for his 6th goal of the season to put the Triumph up 2-0.
Keegan continued his 2019 tallies in the 70′ minute finishing a deflected service into the near post. Dominic Boland sent in the inital ball to the backside runner, Edmundo Robinson. Robinson, not having much of a look on goal, headed the cross back into the box to Carlos Gomez who forced a poor clearance to a lurking Keegan who slotted in his 7th goal of the season.
Edmundo Robinson, a key player off the bench for the Triumph tonight, drew a late foul in the box on a blistering attack down the left flank. Robinson netted the PK in the 88′ minute of action to put the Triumph at a 4-0 differential versus league-leading North Texas.
“The difference in this week’s advantage (being a man up) and last week’s advantage (scoring first) was the fact that the boys recognized what the game was telling them,” said Coach John Harkes. “There are times when you simply have to be patient. We recognized the tempo, and we knew we needed to stretch things. But we were patient. Sometimes you just have to let the game open.”
While Harkes and the squad are excited and proud of the performance, they understand that there is much more at stake than simply winning. Harkes says, “This is still a learning moment for the guys. Last week was a learning moment. This week is a learning moment. When you keep positive work ethic and positive energy, you grow. Now, it’s about being proactive. Now it’s about taking the advantage and doing something with it – keeping clean sheets, making adjustments, moving forward. We are happy, but we are only as good as our next game.”
The Triumph (6-5-6) return home to Legacy Early College Field on Saturday, August 3rd to face South Georgia Tormenta FC for International Night presented by Fins Car Wash. The pre-game Fan Fest begins at 5:00 pm, gates open at 6:00 pm and kickoff is at 7:00 pm. Tickets can be purchased by clicking here. Fans can also head to FINS Car Wash tomorrow and get $3 off a Top Wash thanks to tonight’s clean sheet by Dallas Jaye.
Shots (on goal):
Greenville – 11 (6), North Texas – 6 (2)
Possession:
GVL: 47%
NTX: 53%
Corners:
GVL – 2, NTX – 2
Scoring Summary:
GVL: Walker (62′), Keegan (64′, 70′), Robinson (88′)
Misconduct Summary:
GVL: Politz (caution) – 35′, Gomez (caution) – 48′, Robinson (caution) – 67′
NTX: Roberts (caution) – 82′, Rodriquez (caution) – 94′
Ejections:
NTX: Cerrillo (straight red) – 20′
