Goals by #9 Dane Kelly (PK – 10’, 82’), #7 Avionne Flanagan (29’) & #2 Fabrice Ngah (77’)
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (July 29, 2023) – The Charlotte Independence scored a season-high four goals in a crucial win over Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC, 4-1, on Saturday evening at American Legion Memorial Stadium. #7 Avionne Flanagan and #2 Fabrice Ngah each scored their first goal of the season while #9 Dane Kelly bagged a brace. The Jacks are on the road next weekend to face Greenville Triumph SC on Saturday, August 5 at 7:00 p.m.
“It’s the most important game of the season for us right now because they’re top of the table, and for us to get three points and move closer behind them is really good for us,” Kelly explained. “We stuck it out as a group, and I think it was a good team performance.”
Northern Colorado started on the front foot with a dangerous chance in the 2nd minute, but the Jacks then threatened in the 4th minute. #8 Joel Johnson received the ball on the run, and his shot was saved directly into the path of #11 Tresor Mbuyu, but Mbuyu could not make clean contact with the ball.
The Independence took the lead in the 10th minute with a penalty kick scored by Kelly. A looping ball from midfield by Mbuyu found the feet of #10 Miguel Ibarra who slotted it to Kelly just inside the penalty area where he was fouled.
The Jacks continued feeding the ball to Kelly as he lingered among the Hailstorm defense. #17 Clay Dimick joined the offensive pressure in the 22nd minute on the end of a long ball over the defense by Ibarra, but his attempt was saved.
“I thought we showed a lot of composure on the ball, especially in the first half,” Head Coach Mike Jeffries shared. “We moved the ball well, we were patient when we needed to be, and we were direct when we needed to be.”
Flanagan doubled the lead with his first goal of the season in the 29th minute. It was a solo effort as Flanagan dribbled from midfield before unleashing a shot from outside the penalty area into the far right netting.
The Charlotte defense sustained increased pressure from the Hailstorm for the remainder of the half but stayed positioned to block all attempts and restart possession in the other direction.
Halftime: Charlotte Independence 2, Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC 0.
Northern Colorado dominated the possession to start the second half and capitalized with a goal in the 49th minute. A give-and-go movement between #30 Bruno Rendon and #27 Valentin Sabella setup the shot from #19 Billy King, cutting Charlotte’s lead in half.
“We gutted our way through the first half to 2-0 and came in with a 2-0 lead,” Jeffries said. “We knew they were going to come out in the second half and push the game. I was most proud that once it became 2-1, we showed a lot of steel and managed the game defensively.”
With the best chance for the Independence thus far in the second half, Mbuyu rattled a shot off the outside of the side netting in the 63rd minute. On the other side, #1 Austin Pack notched back-to-back diving saves in the 66th minute, both resulting from set pieces.
A pair of substitutes combined to extend the lead to 3-1 in the 77th minute as Ngah scored his first goal of the season just two minutes after entering the match off a pass by #56 Gabriel Obertan across the face of goal.
“It’s nice to be able to bring on guys of that quality at the end of the game,” Jeffries added. “I’m really pleased that those guys came in and made the impact that they did.”
Kelly solidified the win with his second goal of the night in the 82nd minute off Obertan’s second assist of the match. Mbuyu stole possession in the defensive half and found Obertan who played a through ball to Kelly streaming towards the penalty area, and the forward only had the goalkeeper to beat.
“Dane was fantastic,” Jeffries commented. “Dane’s movement was really good and caused their center backs a lot of trouble, and it was a good, intense performance from him.”
Despite being outshot by the Hailstorm, the Independence took advantage of the opportunities in front of goal to score a season-high four goals. Kelly is now tied with Mbuyu for the team-lead with six goals this season.
“We knew this game was going to be important,” Flanagan expressed. “We dropped three points when we were out there last time we played them. We knew this game was important playing a top-of-the-league team, so it was about mentality and going out there to compete every second.”
Fulltime: Charlotte Independence 4, Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC 1.
NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE: The Charlotte Independence hit the road to face Greenville Triumph SC on Saturday, August 5. First kick is set for 7:00 p.m. All away matches can be streamed for free with Bahakel Sports.
