May 13, 2023 – United Soccer League One (USL1) – Greenville Triumph SC News Release
Greenville, SC – A strong early performance and two-goal halftime lead were not enough for the Greenville Triumph on Saturday, as the club allowed two second half goals and settled for a 2-2 draw with the visiting Richmond Kickers on Saturday night at Paladin Stadium. The draw was the first on the season for Greenville, who entered the night with a 3-4-0 record.
Quick off the draw from the opening whistle, Greenville won a free kick just outside the Richmond 18 -yard-box at the third minute. Triumph attacker Lucas Coutinho converted the opportunity, netting one of the fastest goals in club history to put Greenville on top early. The goal, Coutinho’s fourth, set a new season-high for the USL veteran with only eight matches played. Motivated by their success, Greenville moved the ball with fluidity as possession weaved in and out of the midfield.
As GTSC approached the halfway point, the referee granted the home side a corner kick, which had been a major focus for the team in training over the past few weeks. Triumph captain, Tyler Polak launched a ball into the opposing box that deflected off the Richmond goalkeeperand to the feet of all-league defender Brandon Fricke, who was making his first start of the season after offseason surgery. Fricke calmly swept the ball into the net, doubling the Triumph lead. Fricke’s goal makes him the third player in the League One to notch a goal in each season he has played.
Unfortunately for Greenville, Darren Sawatzky’s Kickers came out of the locker room anew with high energy. Greenville called on waves of substitutions between the 54th and 64th minute, looking to manage injuries to starters and the rejuvenated Richmond attack. Richmond got on the board in the 59th minute with a Nathan Aune goal and continued to pressure the Triumph defense as the match wore on. Seemingly in control of the midfield and continuing to pressure the home team, Richmond dished a ball across the goal line in the 82nd minute that Luke Pavone collected, sliding the ball past Triumph defenders and keeper Jared Mazzola to tie the match. Greenville fought to regain the lead, but six minutes of stoppage time ran out without a match-winner as the clubs each settled for a point with the 2-2 draw.
The Greenville Triumph will return to Paladin Stadium for the second match of their first back-to-back home stretch of 2023 next Saturday, May 20th, when expansion-side…