March 29, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Hartford Athletic News Release
HFD, NC A match between North Carolina FC and Hartford Athletic in Week 4 of the 2024 USL Championship regular season at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, NC – Friday, March 29, 2024. Photo by Lewis Gettier
Two first-half goals from the home side proved to be too much for Hartford Athletic to overcome as the club lost its first game of the season on Friday night against North Carolina FC. Hartford had kept two clean sheets in the season’s first two matches but were unable to carry that momentum into tonight’s road contest.
In the 26th minute, Beverly Makangila, who made his first start of the season, tried to play a ball into the right flank, but had it deflected by Louis Perez. Oalex Anderson beat him to the ball for a one-on-one heading to goal. Rushing in to defend the play, Hartford midfielder Anderson Asiedu shouldered him in the box and was given a yellow card. Perez slotted home the PK attempt to give North Carolina an early 1-0 lead.
During another North Carolina run, Anderson. got a leading pass in the 35th minute. In an uncontested one-on-one, he shot it into the top right of the goal to double the lead. North Carolina led 2-0 just 36 minutes in and took that lead into halftime.
Hartford generated chances early in the second half and signs were pointing towards a comeback for the visitors, despite being unable to break through. In the 72nd minute, midfielder Jay Chapman stood over a free kick on the left side of the attacking third. Chapman sent what looked to be a cross, but somehow bounced the ball off the post and in for an unlikely goal to cut the lead in half..
Trying to complete the comeback, Hartford nearly found glory once again. After back-and-forth possession for ten minutes, Ngalina got upfield on a chance in the 84th, which was knocked out by Armstrong. Triston Hodge lined up for a corner and sent a cross, which floated right into a deflection by the goalie. The deflection rolled to the feet of Emmanuel Samadia, who shot from outside the top of the box, deflected by a slew of defenders. Ngalina somehow got the ball from defenders again on the left side, crossing it into Mamadou Dieng at full speed, who headed it right off the left post.
In the 92nd after frequent Hartford possessions and chances, Enoch Mushagalusa collected a pass in murky waters just outside of the box. He turned and took a great attempt on goal, curling right into a…
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