Triumph now set to travel to Charlotte for first round of playoffs
Greenville, SC (October 14, 2023) – A last-second goal from Triumph defender Jamie Smith earned Greenville a point in its regular season finale, drawing Lexington Sporting Club 1-1 at Paladin Stadium on Saturday. The draw rescued a point for the home side in front of its largest crowd of the season, as the club celebrated Fan Appreciation Night ahead of the start of the 2023 League One Playoffs next weekend.
Greenville dominated possession and chances in the first half, looking to surge ahead in a scenario where the club needed a victory to have a chance to host a first-round playoff match. Jamie Smith nearly found the back of the net when he unleashed a powerful header that rocketed towards the goal midway through the half. Unfortunately, his effort met the crossbar, leaving the crowd in awe of what might have been. Jacob Labovitz also had multiple chances on goal during the first half, culminating with a narrow miss shortly before the break after he created a turnover in the open field.
In the 73rd minute, the Greenville goalkeeper Jared Mazzola dove off his line to intercept a threatening cross. The ball fell at the feet of Lexington midfielder Drew Patterson, who unleashed a shot towards the goal. Thankfully for Greenville, forward, Lyam MacKinnon stepped in front of the net to head the ball away and deny Lexington a late lead. Lexington grabbed the advantage minutes later, though, after a deflection off of Jamie Smith in the 81st minute caused an own goal on the Triumph to put the visitors up, 1-0.
Just when it seemed that the game was slipping away, the tables turned seconds before the final whistle. Jamie Smith, eager to redeem himself, pounced on a bobbled ball in Lexington’s 18-yard box and slotted it into the back of the net, securing a 1-1 draw for Greenville.
The draw, coupled with Charlotte’s draw against Tormenta FC on Saturday, means that Greenville remains the fifth seed and will travel to face fourth-seeded Charlotte next weekend in the first round of the playoffs. The match will take place on Friday, October 20th, at 7:00 PM at Charlotte’s American Legion Memorial Stadium.
