Med City FC Claims 3-1 Victory over Sioux Falls Thunder FC
Med City FC closed out the May portion of its 2018 season on Wednesday night by welcoming Sioux Falls Thunder FC to the Rochester Regional Stadium. The two teams came in with the same record, with only four points from their first four games, and each was desperate for a win to keep their hopes for a playoff berth and conference title alive early in the season.
Knowing the importance of this early season matchup, the teams came out ready to play. The first half started as a pretty even affair, with neither team having many chances. But as the first half wore on, Med City FC began to look the more dangerous team, taking control of the game. The pressure and control finally paid off for the Mayhem in the 37th minute, as midfielder Niklas Roessler (Stuttgart, Germany) won a ball near midfield and took off on a weaving run. Defensive confusion by the Thunder allowed Roessler to drive into final third and unleash a shot that would get past Thunder goalkeeper Mynor Enriquez. Six minutes later, Med City FC would add a second goal, as Francisco Neto (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) steered a free kick from just outside the 18-yard box into the back of the net to give Med City a 2-0 halftime lead.
The skies opened and the rain poured as the second half started, and Sioux Falls Thunder FC opened their scoring account, as well. A 49th minute Thunder cross found the foot of forward Brice Holiday and he beat his marker and scored to cut the Mayhem lead to 2-1. Lifted by the quick second-half goal, the Thunder continued to press the ball, searching for an equalizer. It was Med City FC, however, who would score again, in the 60th minute, as Claudio Repetto (Genova, Italy) stole an errant pass and took the ball around the goalkeeper to put the Mayhem up 3-1.
Sioux Falls continued to push for goals, but to no avail. A Thunder free kick in the 81st minute required a diving save from Med City FC goalkeeper Alexander Jarvis (Kings Lynn, England). Then again, deep into stoppage time, a Thunder corner would be blasted toward the Med City FC goal, but once again Jarvis would make the save.
That would be the last meaningful action of the match, as Med City FC grabbed a convincing 3-1 home win.
Contributor: Med City FC
Photo Credit: Med City FC
