UPSL: Penalty Gifts Red Wolves 2 Derby Win Over Scenic City
- Philip Farrell
- May 2
- 3 min read
NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com
CHATTANOOGA, Tn. — A 71st minute penalty from Red Wolves’ attacker Nathan Donoho proved to be the difference on Wednesday evening, as Scenic City SC fell to just its second loss of the season.
In a hard fought game that kept the officials busy, the Red Wolves emerged triumphant thanks to Donoho’s strike but also the performance of goalkeeper Chase Lundberg. The highly-rated young shotstopper made a string of excellent saves in the first half to deny Scenic City attackers Sam Conrad, Marcus Odeny, and Jackson Greer. In the opposite goal Isai Romero also made a handful of important stops, including a spectacular one-handed save in the 51st minute to deny the Red Wolves off a corner.
The first half, in which Lundberg was so busy, saw Scenic City dominate. Particularly down the left, they caused lots of problems through good interplay between Odeny, Ben Horchak, and Adin Castle. Romero had relatively little to do thanks to some strong defending from Michael Clow and Stiven Galicia that kept a cap on the threat from Donoho and Taylor Aron.
Things changed in the second half as the Red Wolves grew into the game and began to match Scenic City’s pace and physicality and the match became a more even contest. More pressure in midfield was applied as Donoho and Aron began to look more dangerous. They were also led from the back by the feisty, and mouthy, Sifiso Ngwenya in central defense.
As the game became more physically competitive, several yellow cards (but no reds) began to fly. Both head coaches, Josh Luff of Scenic City and Greg Warden of the Red Wolves, received some words from the referee in response to complaints. Then the penalty call came when Matthias Cobb was hauled down in the box and the referee instantly pointed to the penalty spot. It was probably a penalty, although Scenic City had at least a couple of very similar penalty shouts later in the game that went unawarded, including a double-shout in straight succession in the 85th minute.
Donoho, who made his first appearance for the Red Wolves’ senior team recently in the USL Cup, smashed home a strong PK that Romero got a slight hand to but could do nothing about. A few minutes earlier, Red Wolves center back Ty Lake made an unbelievable clearance off the line to deny Scenic City. The host’s best chance though arguably came on the 82nd minute but substitute Jack Conrad skied the ball over the bar from close range after some excellent, and patient build-up play. While Scenic City didn’t ultimately get the goal they needed, they continued to apply their game, passing well, searching for openings and slowly turning the screw. Sadly for them, the goal just never came on the night.
The result sees the Red Wolves stay in fifth but pull level with Pachuca on nine points, three away from Scenic City who stay in second. SCSC are level on points with leaders LSA Mustangs, but the latter now have a game-in-hand. Scenic City are at home again this weekend when Pachuca visits CSLA, while the Red Wolves return to their Camp Jordan home for only the second time this season for the visit of third-place Georgia Impact.
Box Score
Scenic City SC v Chattanooga Red Wolves SC 2 UPSL Premier Division - Georgia North
Venue: CSLA | Chattanooga, TN
Final Score: Scenic City 0-1 Red Wolves 2
Scoring summary: 71’: N. Donoho (RW2)
Man of the Match: Chase Lundberg (RW2) - Kept his side in the game in the first 45 minutes when they could have gone in behind at half-time, making some sterling saves. Had less to do in the second half until a frantic last 15 or 20 minutes when Scenic City went in search of an equalizer. Honorable mentions go to his opposite number Isai Romero and Nathan Donoho who scored the winning penalty.
Next Games
• Sunday 3rd May, 19:00 (ET): Scenic City SC v Pachuca Georgia, CSLA, Chattanooga, TN (UPSL Premier)
• Saturday 2nd May, 18:00 (ET): Chattanooga Red Wolves SC 2 v Georgia Impact SC, Camp Jordan, East Ridge, TN (UPSL Premier)
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