Maxi Galizzi Leads New Orleans Jesters past AFC Mobile in Season Opener

By New Orleans Jesters

Forward Maxi Galizzi scored twice on his debut to lead the New Orleans Jesters past AFC Mobile with a 3-1 opening night victory.  Gallizzi’s two goals capped an impressive first Jesters match for the young striker who partnered with his brother Luciano in a potent New Orleans forward line.

The Jesters started brightly and came close to scoring twice in the first five minutes with Galizzi pulling a shot wide to the right of the goal and then seeing a second effort saved.

New Orleans finally opened the scoring in the 15th minute after winning a corner on the far side.  Midfielder JowWayne Laidley swung in a deep corner that defender Guy Baskerville met and powered home a header past goalkeeper Will Blake.

AFC Mobile leveled ten minutes later with a goal from forward Jose Reis who slotted into an empty net after dragging the ball past New Orleans goalkeeper Jourdan Schumacher.

At the stroke of halftime the Jesters restored the advantage with a fine individual goal from striker Maxi Galizzi.  Galizzi won possession in the box after a long through ball from Guy Baskerville, and he held off the challenge of the defender then flicked a header past Blake and into the goal.

AFC Mobile enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges in the second half and took the game to New Orleans as they hunted for an equalizer but the Jesters weathered the pressure and scored the crucial third goal just before the hour mark.

The goal came as the two Galizzi brothers combined with Luciano slotting through to Maxi who fired past Blake to make it 3-1.

New Orleans heads to Southern States SC next Saturday night for the second game of the NPSL season.  The Jesters are back home at Pan American Stadium on May 28 when they will face Jacksonville Armada.  Tickets are $10, and more information is available at  nolajesters.com.

Photo Credit: Jonathan Skinner/New Orleans Jesters