Goals from Emmanuel Iwe and Kameron Lacey propelled MNUFC2 to a 2-0 win over Whitecaps FC 2 at the National Sports Center Stadium on Sunday evening, securing the squad’s second shutout of the season.
MNUFC2 started the match quickly with four key scoring opportunities. Forward Kameron Lacey had the Twos’ first go at goal, running onto a through ball sent by midfielder Cedrik Gbo. Lacey put his shot on frame to the bottom right corner, it but was saved by Whitecaps 2 goalkeeper Thomas Hasal. The forward, busy in the attacking third, created another chance for the home side when he found forward Cameron Dunbar with space atop the 18-yard box. Dunbar dribbled through the middle of the goal area, able to release a shot at net that struck the post.
Lacey found himself charging towards goal, once again, this time in a 1v1 with Hasal. The Miami-native tried to sneak the ball through the legs of the Vancouver keeper, but Hasal made the save.
In the 16th minute, defender CC Uche conceded a foul in the penalty area, where Whitecaps FC 2 was awarded the penalty kick. Levonte Johnson stepped to the spot to take the attempt and goalkeeper Alec Smir, in his first game appearance and start with MNUFC2 this season, made the save to prevent a one-goal deficit.
The Twos would produce three more solid chances in the first 45 minutes, all of which hit the post. Midfielder Rory O’Driscoll got a piece of the action just before the end of the half, putting a shot on net towards at outstretched Hasal, however O’Driscoll missed the target by inches.
As the sun began to set late in the second half, Minnesota continued to generate opportunities to find its first goal, which came in the 71st minute. Cameron Dunbar slipped a through ball past the Vancouver defense, where Kameron Lacey was on the run towards goal. Entering a 2v1, Lacey passed the ball to Emmanuel Iwe, who buried his shot in the back of the net for the 1-0 lead; his fourth tally this season.
MNUFC2 later earned a foul in the goal area and was awarded a penalty kick. Lacey took the attempt, scoring the second goal for the home side and netting his third goal with the Twos.
In one final push for a third goal, defender Carlos Leatherman gained control of the ball and found the feet of Dunbar, who then took a shot from the center of the box, but was deflected by Hasal. Forward Cooper Lijewski tried to redirect the ball, but his shot hit the crossbar.
With the win, MNUFC2 improves to a 5-5-3 regular-season record (W-L-D) and 19 points.
MNUFC2 will next travel to the CITYPARK in St. Louis, Missouri to take on St. Louis CITY2 on Thursday, June 22nd at 7:00pm CT.
GOALS
1-0 MIN – Emmanuel Iwe, assisted by Kameron Lacey (71’)
2-0 MIN – Kameron Lacey, PK (77’)
DISCIPLINAIRY SUMMARY
Caution, MIN – CC Uche (16’)
Caution, VAN – Elage (34’)
Caution, MIN – Carlos Leatherman (43’)
Caution, VAN – Thomas Hasal (75’)
Caution, VAN – Vasco Fry (75’)
Ejection, VAN – Christian Greco-Taylor (90’+1’)
NOTABLE STATS
3 – Kameron Lacey scored his third goal with MNUFC2 on Sunday night.
13 – MNUFC2 has scored in 13 consecutive matches, extending a team record.
23 & 13 – The Twos recorded 23 total shots against Whitecaps FC 2, of which 13 were on target.
TEAM LEADERS (Updated through June 18)
Goals – Diogo Pacheco (6)
Assists – Diogo Pacheco (4)
Saves – Fred Emmings (30)
Wins – Fred Emmings (4)
Shutouts – Fred Emmings, Alec Smir (1)
