SCHNEIDER’S BICYCLE KICK SENDS THE FORCE TO VICTORY
The Knoxville Force men played Tennessee rival Nashville FC tonight at Sansom Sports Complex, and the game was definitely one for the books. Despite the pouring rain and occasional flashes of lightning, the game began on-time at 7 p.m.
Fans did not have to wait long for the first goal of the night. The Force gained a corner kick within the first minute of the game. Dallas Dunn won the ball off the corner kick and pounded it into the back of the net in the second minute of play to put the Force up by one.
Unfortunately, the Force’s lead was short-lived. Nashville player Elliot Goodwin broke away from his defenders and scored his team’s first goal of the night in the 16th minute. Only eight minutes later, Nashville put in another goal to take the lead. This time it was Yuji Callahan who scored for Nashville by heading the ball past the Force’s goalkeeper. The score remained 1-2 for the remainder of the half.
In the second half of the game, both teams came out very aggressive and physical. Nashville received two yellow cards within the first 18 minutes of the half. The equalizer came in the 65th minute with a goal by Ryan Creel. The score was tied 2-2.
The game continued to be physical as both teams fought to get the game-winning goal. Two more yellow cards and one red card would be handed out before the end of the match.
The game-winning goal finally came in the 83rd minute of the game. It was a goal soccer fans only dream of getting the chance to see. The ball popped up into the air at the top of the box, and Cameron Schneider of the Force flew up and performed a perfect bicycle kick to put the ball in goal. The Force fans went wild, jumping up and down. Nashville could not recover, and the game ended with a score of 3-2.
The Knoxville Force men are now 2-1 this season. They are playing some of their best soccer in program history. The men play next this Tuesday, June 7 at Chattanooga. The game starts at 7:30 pm.