MNUFC2 fell to North Texas SC 3-0 on Sunday night at the National Sports Center in Blaine, Minnesota after only conceding one goal at halftime. The Twos next travel to face Whitecaps FC 2 in Burnaby, British Columbia on Thursday, June 13.
North Texas SC found the first scoring opportunity of the match in the ninth minute after defender Amet Korca sent a long ball over the top finding Logan Farrington in behind the Twos back line. Farrington shot off the volley towards goal but hit the near post, ricocheting out of bounds.
In the 18th minute, MNUFC2 goalkeeper, Oliver Kelly made a crucial diving save after a short corner from NTX was crossed into the box finding Turner Humphrey for a header to goal.
North Texas SC scored the first goal of the game in the 21st minute. A cross over the top of the defense by Diego Garcia found Pedro Fonseca who slotted it over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net to give the opposing side the early 1-0 lead.
Midfielder Kage Romanshyn Jr. had a close-range shot near the North Texas penalty mark after he received a short pass from Darius Randell. Romanshyn Jr.’s strike was strong, but the defender’s body blocked the ball. Quickly after, in transition, the Texas side found Farrington on the left corner of the 18-yard box, who then fired off a long range shot with Oliver Kelly off his line. Farrington’s shot went wide and out of frame, going out of bounds.
One minute into first-half stoppage time, North Texas SC nearly conceded an own goal after MNUFC2 took a corner that bounced back out to Molik Jesse Khan on the right side who found teammate Britton Fischer. Fischer then crossed the ball towards the back post where an NTX defender, facing his goal, mis-touched the ball before hitting it back towards goal but it was eventually cleared out by another Texas defender.
The Twos defense held strong throughout the first half, conceding only one goal going into halftime. On the attacking side, MNUFC2 was outshot six to seven by North Texas SC but still continued to put pressure on the opposing side’s defense and find opportunities.
MNUFC2 got the first opportunity of the second half when in the 49th minute, Finn McRobb crossed a ball into the box, which found Loïc Mesanvi. Mesanvi took the shot, but sent the chance wide left.
North Texas’ first big chance of the second half came in the 62 minute. A deep pass from Mads Westergren found Logan Farrington. Farrington forced a diving save by Oliver Kelly to keep the deficit at 1-0.
Two late strikes extended the lead for North Texas. First in the 80th minute, a through ball found Farrington who dropped it back for Abdoul Zanne, who buried it into the bottom corner. Then, NTX added another goal in the first minute of second-half stoppage time. Enes Sali ran through the defense and took a shot that hit Kelly’s hands, but ended up in the back of the net.
GOALS
0-1 NTX - Pedro Fonseca, assisted by Diego Garcia (21’)
0-2 NTX - Abdoul Zanne, assisted by Logan Farrington (80’)
0-3 NTX - Enes Sali, assisted by Anthony Ramirez (91’)
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
Caution, NTX - Amet Korca (38’)
Caution, MNUFC2 - Finn McRobb (56’)
Caution, MNUFC2 - Rory O’Driscoll (70’)
Ejection, MNUFC2 - Rory O’Driscoll (76’)
Caution, MNUFC2 - Aidan Martinez (82’)
NOTABLE STATS
1- MNUFC Academy U17 midfielder Aidan Martinez made his MNUFC2 and MLS NEXT Pro debut against North Texas SC on Sunday night.
TEAM LEADERS (Updated through June 9)
Goals – Patrick Weah (7)
Assists – Britton Fischer, Molik Jesse Khan (2)
Saves – Alec Smir (19)
Wins – Alec Smir (2)
Shutouts – Clint Irwin (1)
