June 26, 2022 – United Soccer League One (USL1) – North Carolina FC News Release
FRESNO, CA – Despite a late push to equalize, North Carolina FC fell just short of USL League One newcomer Central Valley Fuego FC, ending NCFC’s four-game unbeaten streak. The match featured goals from Oalex Anderson and USL League One Golden Boot leader Garrett McLaughlin.
“[I’m] disappointed with the result and felt we definitely needed to be better in critical moments of the game,” Head Coach John Bradford said. “Obviously the deflection on their first goal caught us out of position, and credit to them on a great strike, but the next two goals came from transition directly after quality chances for us on the other end.”
Central Valley Fuego FC struck first in the 30th minute, a left-footed shot from outside the box to the top right corner from Maximiliano Schenfeld, but the squad from Cary didn’t take that lying down. Just seven minutes later, NCFC’s Jaden Servania sent a through ball to Oalex Anderson, who launched a right-footed shot from the right side of the box to the bottom left corner of the goal to knot the game at one goal apiece.
The home team capitalized on a lengthy stoppage time when Christian Chaney slotted a right-footed shot from the center of the box to the bottom right corner. Schenfeld was credited with the assist on the goal, and Central Valley was up 2-1 going into halftime.
Upon return, NCFC made several positive pushes with Oalex Anderson and Jaden Servania stepping up to create chances, but nothing came of the efforts. Instead, the Fresno-based side capitalized again, this time with Christian Chaney sending a shot from the center of the box past NCFC keeper Nicholas Holliday, extending their lead to 3-1.
After subbing in in the 78th minute, NCFC forward Garrett McLaughlin did what he does best, finding an opportunity in the 90th minute to bring the visitors within one. The scoring play began with a pass from defender Max Flick finding McLaughlin, who blasted a right-footed shot from the center of the box to the bottom left corner.
Ultimately, the clock was run down and even five minutes of stoppage time wasn’t enough for North Carolina to equalize once more.
“I was proud of how we kept competing throughout the game,” Bradford said. “We’ll learn from this and I know our group will be ready for a quick turn around at Greenville [Triumph SC] midweek.”
Up Next: North Carolina FC stays on the road with a quick turnaround to take on Greenville Triumph SC…