FC Pride Defeats FC Milwaukee Torrent 4-2 in Central States Conference

By FC Pride

FC Pride opened its season in impressive fashion on Sunday evening, earning a 4-2 victory over FC Milwaukee Torrent at the Pride Performance Center behind a standout attacking display and a brace from IU Indianapolis forward Tyson Aschilman.

In front of an energetic home crowd, FC Pride overcame a cautious opening spell before taking control of the match with four well-worked goals and several strong individual performances from players representing colleges across the Midwest.

After a tightly contested first 20 minutes, FC Pride broke the deadlock in spectacular style. Following a dangerous set piece that Milwaukee Torrent failed to fully clear, Aschilman reacted quickest inside the penalty area and delivered an acrobatic overhead kick into the back of the net to give the hosts a 1-0 advantage.

The goal sparked momentum for FC Pride, who continued to press forward with confidence and attacking intent.  Shortly afterward, a sweeping team move carved open the Torrent defense, allowing Nathaniel Isom (IU Indianapolis) to calmly finish and double the lead before halftime as FC Pride entered the break with a deserved 2-0 advantage.

FC Pride wasted little time extending the lead after the restart.  Just five minutes into the second half, Oakland University forward Cal Kurzawa finished off an excellent attacking sequence following strong play down the flank from halftime substitute Brayden Doll, making it 3-0 and putting the hosts firmly in control.

Milwaukee Torrent responded with a goal to cut the deficit to 3-1, but FC Pride answered quickly once again.  Aschilman capped off an outstanding individual performance with his second goal of the night, rising highest to power home a header from a perfectly delivered free kick by Caleb Swartzendruber (Spring Arbor University).

Torrent converted a late penalty to narrow the score line to 4-2, but FC Pride comfortably saw out the closing stages to secure all three points and an ideal start to the season.

“It is great to start the season with a win at home,” FC Pride Head Coach Jamie Gilbert said. “I feel that we will be more and more fluid as we progress through the season.  Now we turn our attention to a big game on Friday night.”

FC Pride now turns its attention to Friday evening’s road matchup against Michigan Rangers FC in a rematch of last season’s conference final, where the Rangers narrowly claimed a 2-1 victory in a hard-fought contest.

Photo Credit: Recruit Productions/FC Pride