Goals from Castro, Lee and Scarlett pace Greenville in season-opening win over Spokane
Greenville, SC (March 9, 2024) – The Greenville Triumph Soccer Club began the 2024 season in thrilling fashion, with a strong offensive performance earning the team a 3-1 win over expansion side, Spokane Velocity in Furman’s Paladin Stadium on Saturday. The win was the first for new head coach Rick Wright, who served as an assistant coach for the club’s first five seasons. Goals from veterans Evan Lee and Leo Castro cemented the victory after rookie Zion Scarlett netted his first professional goal in the opening half.
Both teams showcased their determination to find their chemistry in the new season from the first whistle. It was Spokane who initially broke the deadlock, capitalizing on a penalty kick to gain the early advantage against Greenville. However, the home team quickly retaliated, with newcomer Zion Scarlett showcasing his talent by elegantly chipping the ball past the Spokane defense to notch the equalizer just four minutes after the Triumph conceded the penalty goal.
Throughout the match, Nate Shultz and the Triumph defense displayed stellar discipline, demonstrating remarkable control and making crucial defensive interventions to thwart Spokane’s attacks. Despite several near misses, including Lyam’s shot that sailed just over the goal and a spectacular save by Greenville’s new goalkeeper, Christian Garner, the score remained level at halftime.
As the second half commenced, Greenville surged forward with renewed vigor. Just moments into the half, Zion Scarlett’s precise cross found Leo Castro, whose powerful shot was initially blocked by the Spokane keeper. However, Evan Lee pounced on the rebound, slotting the ball into the net to give Greenville the lead.
Greenville’s dominance continued as Leo Castro combined brilliantly with Lyam MacKinnon, who delivered a pinpoint cross for Castro to stylishly back heel the ball into the net, extending Greenville’s lead to 3-1 in the 60th minute.
The latter stages of the match saw Greenville’s young talents, Ben Zakowski, Pascal Corvino, and Oliver Hald, making their professional debuts, further adding to the excitement on the field. Despite Spokane’s efforts to mount a comeback, Greenville’s solid defense and clinical finishing proved insurmountable, securing a well-deserved victory.
“I mean it’s incredible,” said Evan Lee. “I think we had a really, really good preseason. We brought in a lot of new faces, but it’s kind of rejuvenated us a little bit. I think the energy around the team has been phenomenal, not to mention we see articles that people write, we see those kinds of things. I think that gives us a little extra motivation and to be out here and win the first game three to one is phenomenal.”
Greenville will now enjoy an extended break before its second league match, which will take place on Saturday, March 23rd against Forward Madison. Four days before the Madison match, GTSC will travel to Columbia to face SC United Bantams in the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
Zion Scarlett, forward, on his first professional goal: “It’s a great feeling. The whole preseason we’ve been working super hard as a team, and the coaches set out some things that they wanted us to focus on tonight and we did that, which feels great. “And to get my first professional goal, besides my international goal, is a great feeling and I can’t wait to hopefully score more this season.”
Rick Wright, Head Coach, on his first match result as head coach: You guys saw such a great performance from a team that has a tremendous desire to win. They proved it tonight, and we’re going to continue to prove it.
