Castro’s first half goal leads Greenville to victory
Knoxville, TN (September 16, 2023) – The Greenville Triumph edged out Knoxville SC in 1-0 win on the road Saturday night. Greenville remains in sixth position across the league table with an 11-9-7 record.
Saturday’s match result held post-season implications across League One, with the potential to elevate the winner into playoff position. Greenville Triumph SC and Knoxville SC squared off in their final matchup of the series.
The game kicked off with a bang in the fifth minute when Knoxville’s forward, Ilija Ilic, was fouled inside the box, earning his team a penalty kick. The crowd held their breath as Ilic stepped up to take the crucial pk, but their hopes were dashed when his shot struck the post and rebounded away from the goal in a missed opportunity that would later come back to haunt Knoxville.
Sixteen minutes into the match, Greenville midfielder Noah Pilato displayed some exceptional reflexes, blocking a powerful shot that seemed destined for the back of the net, ensuring the score remained level at 0-0.
The turning point of the match came in the 39th minute when Greenville’s Leonardo Castro produced a moment of sheer brilliance. With a diving volley, he managed to find the back of the net, giving Greenville the lead at 1-0. This goal was the result of an excellent connection between Castro and Allen Gavilanes, their fifth successful collaboration this season.
As the teams headed into the second half, Greenville maintained their 1-0 lead, making no changes to their personnel. Knoxville was desperate to find an equalizer but found it challenging to break down Greenville’s resilient defense.
In the 54th minute, Greenville had a golden opportunity to extend their lead when they were awarded a free-kick just outside the 18-yard box on the left flank. The ball was expertly headed into the net, but the celebrations were short-lived as the goal was disallowed due to a foul called on Greenville. The score remained 1-0 in favor of the visitors.
Despite several attempts to threaten Greenville’s lead, Knoxville SC couldn’t find the breakthrough they needed. Greenville held firm throughout the match, and after seven minutes of heated stoppage time play, they secured a vital victory that solidified their position above the playoff cut line on the league table.
