Goal scored by #14 Kennedy Jones
ROCK HILL, S.C. (May 24, 2023) – The Charlotte Independence USL W League team defeated the Greenville Liberty on Wednesday night at Manchester Meadows Park in Rock Hill, South Carolina marking Charlotte’s first win of the 2023 season. The Independence women return to the field this Saturday, May 27 at American Legion Memorial Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. to host FC Carolinas at 3:00 p.m.
Entering the match, the Independence women created some dangerous opportunities which set the tempo for the first half, intense, fast-paced play with many strikes on goal at both ends.
Within 10 minutes of first kick, the Independence found themselves on the attack. It was #21 Caroline Peters who sent a corner kick directly towards the back post. Charlotte got a head on it, but it sailed just high over the net.
#7 Carly Thatcher of the Greenville Liberty looked dangerous in the 14th minute after a shot from distance landed barely left of the goal.
The Independence forced Liberty goalie #1 Allanah Blye to come up with some big saves towards the end of the first half. In the 45th minute, #18 Sydney Smith stepped up to strike a long free kick from the left side of the field. The set piece resulted in the multiple touches from inside the 18 yard box before eventually being cleared by the Liberty defense.
Following more strikes at the goal, #5 Zoe Susi of the Independence completed a helpful left footed pass to #14 Kennedy Jones. She took a powerful shot from the middle of the 18 yard box, but it landed just wide of the net.
Halftime: Charlotte Independence 0 – Greenville Liberty 0
The Independence continued to knock at the door creating even more opportunities in the second half. Charlotte recorded 7 corner kicks during the game, one of which came in the 54th minute by way of Peters who found #19 Ella Houser inside the box. Hauser sent the ball just over the top-left side of the net.
In the 70th minute, another Peters corner kick caused trouble for the Liberty goalie after Jones jumped up for the header, but the ball landed right into the arms of Blye.
With only 12 minutes left in the match, #17 Olivia Simon of the Independence won the ball in the midfield and made a strong pass over to Jones. Jones took a long-range strike which then flickered off the crossbar, over the line and into the net. Jones recorded Charlotte’s first goal of the 2023 season and put the Independence women ahead 1-0.
Greenville Liberty continued to press late into the second half but the Independence held their ground and defended their goal to keep the score at 1-0.
Final Score: Charlotte Independence 1 – Greenville Liberty 0
NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE: The Charlotte Independence USL W League team will host FC Carolinas this Saturday, May 27 at 3:00 pm at American Legion Memorial Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. Tickets are on sale now at charlotteindependence.com.
