Greenville returns to win column with 1-0 victory at Central Valley
Fresno, CA (June 17, 2023) – Greenville Triumph forward Jacob Labovitz’s late goal in stoppage time carried the Greenville Triumph Soccer Club to a 1-0 win against Central Valley Fuego FC on Saturday night in Fresno, California. Labovitz’s goal, which came in the fifth minute of stoppage time, was the latest regular-season goal in club history. Greenville’s win, its first since May 3rd, lifted the team to seventh in the League One table.
Adjusting well to the late west coast kick time, GTSC ignited its attack with a high press that quickly resulted in two free kicks outside the 18-yard box. Unable to capitalize on its earlier chances, the South Carolina side drilled away at the Fuego backline for the first 20 minutes. Gradually, Fuego matched Greenville’s pace, and in the 39th minute Jesus Partida and Ronald Cerritos combined for a near-goal from the home side. Triumph goalkeeper, Jared Mazzola was forced to make a kick save and kept the match scoreless. The counterattack sent the Triumph up the pitch towards the Fuego goal, with Greenville nearly flipping the script as Lucas Coutinho ripped a shot that just flew wide of the netting. Once Greenville had regained its momentum, they took control of the attacking third late in the first. Noah Pilato attempted to net his fourth goal of the year, but a major block from Fuego’s Razak Cromwell denied Greenville the opening goal before the match hit the halfway mark.
The second half started with a shift in Greenville’s eleven, when Allen Gavilanes come on for Lucas Coutinho. Fuego settled in with a comfortable defensive stance that forced Greenville to be patient and strategic as the minutes wore on. After numerous chances around the box Greenville still couldn’t find the final touch needed to give them a go-ahead goal as the minutes ticked away. Not content with a draw, the patient Greenville attack seized an opportunity with less than a minute left when their press created a combination that saw Allen Gavilanes and Alex Cox-Ashwood get the ball to second-year player Jacob Labovitz, who tucked away a headed cross to snap the evening’s scoring drought and secure a heart stopping 1-0 win for the Triumph.
The Greenville Triumph will compete against Chattanooga Red Wolves in Paladin Stadium this Wednesday, June 21st at 7:30 PM. Tickets are on sale now!
