NCFC Grab Three Huge Points at Forward Madison

September 17, 2022 – United Soccer League One (USL1) – North Carolina FC News Release

North Carolina FC celebrates win
(North Carolina FC)

MADISON, WI – North Carolina FC defeated Forward Madison in the final minutes of stoppage time on Saturday night, relying on goals from Garrett McLaughlin and Shak Adams to collect a vital three points in the first leg of their six-day road trip. Building on the momentum of tonight’s win, the squad will travel to face FC Tucson on Tuesday, hoping to earn all six possible points with another victory on the road.

“I’m proud of this group for grinding out a massive win on the road tonight,” Head Coach John Bradford said following the match. “Our group came out prepared to play and started aggressively on the front foot with some early positive attacking play. It was important for us to score early and then continue to apply pressure as the game wore on.”

With only four minutes expired in the first half, McLaughlin was quick to get the North Carolina side on the board. Receiving a slot pass from Showkat Tahir, the forward slipped a one-touch finish past Raiko Arozarena to score his 12th goal of the season and grab the early advantage. The assist was Tahir’s first of the year, setting the tone for the remainder of the contest.

“It was a full team effort tonight,” McLaughlin said. “Everyone stepped up and did their part, and I’m extremely proud of the team. We are going to enjoy the three points tonight.”

Forward Madison finally responded in the 81st minute, as a missed clearance attempt led to a breakaway for Matheus Cassini. Now face to face with Will Pulisic, Cassini fed a ball to Nazeem Bartman inside the box, who capitalized on the opportunity to level the score at one goal apiece.

As the USL1 playoff picture begins to take shape, a win in tonight’s match was equally dire for both sides, reflected in the physical play that ensued as stoppage time began. Between the work of McLaughlin, Adams, and Jaden Servania, NCFC mustered up several chances at a go-ahead goal, finally receiving their golden opportunity in the 93rd minute – a free kick from just outside the Madison box. Adams took the kick, stunning Arozarena and burying a shot into the upper 90 to snag both the lead and the result, 2-1.

“Even after Madison came back level in the game, I was impressed with our commitment to keep fighting for a result,” Bradford said of the second half. “What a great free kick from Shak, I’ve seen him working on that exact spot so…