Rhode Island FC Secures Come-From-Behind 2-1 Victory Over North Carolina FC

July 27, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Rhode Island FC News Release

Rhode Island FC’s Isaac Angking in action
(Rhode Island FC)

Smithfield, R.I. – A dominant second half fueled by a pair of substitutes lifted Rhode Island FC to a come-from-behind victory on Saturday as the club defeated North Carolina FC 2-1 at Beirne Stadium. Sparked by Zachary Herivaux’s third goal in two matches and Mark Doyle’s second goal of the season, the three points marked a club-best third-straight win and stretched the Ocean State club’s unbeaten run to seven.

The best chance of the opening half for Rhode Island FC (5W-4L-10D) came in the 25th minute, when Jojea Kwizera burned his defender down the left flank before entering the penalty area and cutting a goal-line pass to JJ Williams at the top of the six-yard box. Williams was able to connect with the pass and line a first-time effort, but the low shot flew just wide of the near post.

Five minutes later, North Carolina FC (5W-7L-8D) got on the board first when Evan Conway brought down a cross with his head at the top of the 18-yard box. The redirected pass fell perfectly to the feet of Mikey Maldonado, who buried a first-time effort into the bottom right corner to give the visitors an early lead. The effort was the only shot on target for either team throughout the half, and ensured that North Carolina went into halftime up 1-0.

After a slow start to the second half for both sides, Williams once again had one of RIFC’s best chances to equalize in the 70th minute. Using quick footwork to split the defensive line at the top of the box, the striker pelted a left-footed shot on goal, forcing a full-stretch save from North Carolina FC goalkeeper Jacob McGuire. Working quickly off the ensuing corner kick, Clay Holstad unleashed a curling effort from the corner of the 18-yard-box that beat McGuire seconds later, but the shot narrowly missed wide of the far post.

RIFC’s increased attacking presence would pay off just four minutes later, when Doyle found the back of the net less than five minutes after entering the match as a second-half substitute. After a powerful shot from Grant Stoneman rattled the crossbar from outside the box, Doyle was the first to the rebound, nodding the ball into the empty net from close range to level the score at 1-1.

Another second-half substitute would find the back of the net to give RIFC the come-from-behind lead in the 84th minute. Netting his third goal in two matches, Zachary Herivaux…