Hickory FC Bounce Back from Shaky Start, Collect 3 points from Late-Game Heroics
- Staff Writer
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
Credit Allie Howard
NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com
By: Anthony Badillo
As we have reached the halfway point of the 2026 USL2 South-Atlantic Division schedule, Hickory FC, in the midst of a playoff hunt, had to grind out a tough 3 points on the road in Wilmington, NC against coastal foe Port City FC.
The Wilmington hosts never made anything easy for Hickory in the evening, including an early goal within the 3rd minute by way of a Ryan Lee header off a cross for the hosts. Port City FCs crisp passing helped lead them to the early advantage, and they maintained control of the game for a majority of the 1st half, showing intensity in their pressing and a fast paced sense of defense, swarming Hickory FC players with the ball and never letting their opponents get into a rhythm.
This however, would not last, as Hickory FC around the 25th minute mark began to maintain more possession of the ball and seemingly settled into the match. Right back Luke Munson of Hickory began to develop good crosses into the box, one of which resulted in a corner, but to no avail for the visitors.
After a few minutes of great build up play from Hickory, the equalizer was seemingly found. Midfielder Ander Marticorena delivered a slicing through ball towards forward Bautista Rossi, who finished it into the back of the net. This goal would not last however, as Rossi was deemed to be offside. The end of the first half resulted in additional missed opportunities for Hickory FC.
This fair run of form for Hickory would leak into the start of the 2nd, but Port City FC recognized this and began to seemingly park the bus. In the 50th minute, Hickory FC winger Martin Kozak made a cut from inside the left part of the pitch and delivered a shot, albeit directly to Port City's goalkeeper Kevin Christensen. Minutes later, another great opportunity arose for Hickory from a Martin Kozak corner, delivered to Alvaro Bonet, who narrowly netted his second goal of the season but was denied by a header off the post.
Port City would grind defensively for the remainder of the match, showing relentless grit to try and disrupt any flow or rhythm Hickory FC tried to develop. They even managed to collect their second shot of the match since the early goal, with it flying above the bar in the 59th minute. Hickory FC would continue to push, with more of the ball beginning to enter the box. After a header was deflected and bounced to substitute right back Leonardo Souza, Souza took a shot attempt that was saved by Christensen who managed to rush back in time from the initial deflection.
Despite these defensive heroics, a handball penalty awarded to Hickory in the 86th minute wiped out a night of relentless struggle for the hosts, as Martin Kozak buried it in the 87th, bringing the clubs level.
Hickory would continue to press, and at the death for the visitors, left back Bautista Schmidt delivered a cross into the box for substitute forward James Lane, who scored his first goal for Hickory FC with a game winning header. A rough night for the hosts, who managed to lead for 84 minutes, only to lose the match in the final 10.
Hickory FC fought for a much needed 3 points on the road before a massive 3 game homestand, and with 2 games in hand against 3rd place rivals Appalachian FC, they now hold a great opportunity to widen the gap and secure a spot in this year's playoffs.
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