LEXINGTON, Ky. — Sometimes soccer makes sense. Sometimes there are no goals. Sometimes people say it is boring. Saturday was not one of those nights.
Lexington’s match vs. Monterey Bay FC had it all — four goals before halftime, a 102-minute weather delay, a bit of self-sabotage, a late winner and enough chaos to make you check the scoreboard twice just to be sure. When the dust finally settled, it was Lexington who overcame a two-goal deficit to win the topsy-turvy contest, 3-2.
Monterey Bay FC got out to an early lead, beating the LSC backline in the 2’ and 26’ minutes to mount an early 2-0 lead.
From there, Lexington dominated until the end of the half with two unanswered scores of its own.
A successful press resulted in Aaron Molloy winning possession deep within Monterey Bay territory. Molloy promptly found Braudílio Rodrigues making a cunning run up the middle, and the LSC captain delivered a perfect ball. Rodrigues’ shot clipped the far post, but took a friendly roll into net to cut the deficit in half.
Another turnover forced in the middle of the pitch, this time instigated by Blaine Ferri, resulted in the Greens’ equalizer right before the break. LSC quickly threw numbers forward, ultimately resulting in a cross from Nick Firmino being tapped in by a Monterey Bay defender in front of goal.
Play was postponed in the 55’ minute due lightning in the area, resulting in a prolonged weather delay that ushered the LSC faithful to exit the stands for an hour and 46 minutes.
They returned to the Stables rowdier than ever, shirts off, and spurring the Greens on to a late winner.
A corner delivery from Molloy met the head of Phillip Goodrum, who forced a spectacular save from the visiting keeper. The rebound floated to Tarik Scott, who steered it inside the far post with his head for the match winner.
From the first goal of the evening to the last, three hours and 25 minutes passed.
The goal was the third of the season for Scott who continues to serve as a dangerous weapon for head coach Mac Hemmi off the bench.
The victory was LSC’s sixth over its last nine matches with one draw sprinkled in for good measure. The Greens climbed into sixth place in the Western Conference standings with the result and remain in red-hot form.
GOALS
2’ MB: Sebastian Lletget
26’ MB: Fidel Barajas (assist: Sebastian Lletget)
29’ LEX: Braudílio Rodrigues (assist: Aaron Molloy)
42’ LEX: Ryuga Nakamura (OG)
82’ LEX: Tarik Scott
LINEUPS
LEX: Oliver Semmle, Jacob Greene, Kendall Burks, Javain Brown, Xavier Zengue, Blaine Ferri (72’ Cielo Tschantret), Aaron Molloy, Marcus Epps, Nick Firmino, Braudílio Rodrigues (56’ Tarik Scott), Phillip Goodrum
MB: Jacob Jackson, Omari Glasgow, Zack Farnsworth, Nicholas Gordon, Joel Garcia, Ryuga Nakamura (84’ Quinton Elliot), Nick Ross (45+2’ Belmar Joseph), Ilijah Paul (82’ Stuart Ritchie), Sebastian Lletget, Fidel Barajas (76’ Wesley Leggett), Anisse Saidi (76’ Diego Otoya)
UP NEXT
Lexington Sporting Club stays put to host Phoenix Rising FC Saturday, Aug. 8, at Lexington SC Stadium. The match, presented by Team Kentucky, kicks off at 7 p.m. ET.
