August 5, 2021 – United Soccer League One (USL1) – North Carolina FC News Release
FOXBOROUGH, MA – North Carolina FC’s two-game win streak was snapped Thursday night in a 3-0 loss to the New England Revolution II. The hard-fought match saw 15-year-old goalkeeper Nicholas Holliday record his second cap with the team, including four saves throughout the contest, revealing his composure in goal with each incoming challenge from the Revolution.
“Starting Nicholas Holliday was a chance for him to take another step forward in his progress. I was proud of the way he played and thought he made several good saves, while being good in possession for us,” NCFC head coach John Bradford said of Holliday’s showing in tonight’s match. “The games are not always going to be pretty, but these environments are important in his overall development.”
“I don’t think we were good enough today overall. We have a quick turnaround before Chattanooga so we have to regroup and be prepared for a fight for a result at home,” said team captain Nazmi Albadawi following the match. “We have been on a good stretch recently and this was a small hiccup but we know we have to be better, and we will be.”
The Revolution opened scoring late into the first half, as Sean O’Hearn played a pass up the line to teammate Damian Rivera. Taking the ball in stride, Rivera strung together a few quick touches into the eighteen before finally cutting the ball to his right foot and burying a shot into the lower ninety. Rivera’s goal, his fourth of the season, allowed New England to ease into a 1-0 lead as the half expired.
Edward Kizza doubled the Revolution’s lead in the opening minutes of the second half, connecting with a cross sent in by Colby Quinones and scoring his first career goal with New England. Kizza added his second goal of the night in the 73rd minute, receiving a through ball from Hikaru Fujiwara and threading a shot into the far left corner of the goal, netting the brace to render New England’s lead three goals to none.
The 3-0 score held until the full time expired, despite a handful of close chances from Robert Kristo and Josh Coan in the final minutes. North Carolina FC will look to recover the loss with a win over the Chattanooga Red Wolves next Tuesday, as the young squad returns to their home crowd in Cary.
Up Next: North Carolina FC will return to Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park to take on the Chattanooga Red Wolves for the second time this season on Tuesday, August 10 at 7 p.m. ET. Tickets are available for purchase here.
Box Score:
NCFC (3-4-2-1): Nick Holliday, Shermaine Martina, Malick Mbaye, Max Flick, Luis Arriaga (Peter Pearson – 84′), Pecka (Selmir Miscic – 75′), Nazmi Albadawi (Cole Frame – 46′), Jay Tee Kamara, Malyk Hamilton, Nelson Flores (Josh Coan – 61′), Thorn Simpson (Robert Kristo – 46′)
Subs Not Used: Nelson Martinez, Jake McGuire
NE (3-4-3): Joe Rice, Ryan Spaulding, Collin Verfuth, Sean O’Hearn, Colby Quinones (Connor Presley – 73′), Jake Rozhansky, Noel Buck (Hikaru Fujiwara – 65′), Michel (Dennis Ramirez – 79′), Damian Rivera, Edward Kizza, Justin Rennicks (Ryan Sierakowski – 79′)
Subs Not Used: Marzuq Puckerin, Tyler Freitas, Francois Dulysse
Score:
NCFC: 0
NE: 3
Goals:
NCFC: —
NE: Damian Rivera – 33′, Edward Kizza – 49′, 74′
Cautions:
NCFC: Nelson Flores – 53′, Max Flick – 86′
NE: —
Ejections:
NCFC: —
NE: —
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