Lexington Sporting Club Earns Second Win of Inaugural Season After Key Penalty Save, Bests Charlotte Independence 1-0
May 13, 2023 – United Soccer League One (USL1) – Lexington Sporting Club press release
GEORGETOWN, Kentucky — A second-half goal from Khalid Balogun and a late heroic effort from Amal Knight helped Lexington Sporting Club win its inaugural season for the second time in a 1-0 final over Charlotte Independence at Toyota Stadium.
The win increases the club’s record to 2-4-1 (7 points) and puts them in 11th place in the league standings. The loss saw Charlotte Independence drop to 3-2-4 (13 points), placing them second in the league.
“That’s exactly what this game does. It’s such a beautiful game and it can take you from the highest high to the lowest low and back to the highest high in seconds,” said head coach Sam Stockley. “We honestly felt like we were hard at work in Chattanooga where we dominated the game and had a tough 90 seconds that cost us. Today it evens out. I couldn’t be prouder of the team, the staff and the club. ) just a wonderful moment for us to get three points. The season goes on but we will enjoy this one tonight.”
The home side came into play after a week away after a 3-1 loss to the Chattanooga Red Wolves.
With rain on the horizon, 2,288 fans packed the Toyota Stadium, with Lexington pressing early, having six shots on target in the first half versus Charlotte having just one. Unfortunately for Lexington, Charlotte goaltender Austin Pack made several impressive saves.
Despite the effort, both clubs went into half-time 0-0, with Lexington SC holding the expected goal average of 0.70 to 0.26.
When Charlotte Independence came back into play in the second half, she appeared to have regained her strength, but the home side refused to back down and both teams traded blows from opposite ends of the field.
Following the club debut of Senegalese international Pierre Mané, Balogun became the first player in Lexington SC history to score twice in the same season when he scored against Pack in the 78th minute from an assist by Owen Green.
A smooth finish was not in sight for the boys in green, however, as a lightning strike in the penalty area forced a complete stoppage of play with less than 10 minutes remaining.
Things got even more dramatic in the last minute of extra time when Lexington’s Kaelon Fox was shown a red card in the box, giving the Independence a penalty, but a brilliant save from Knight put the home side ahead with the final whistle seconds later.
“That’s the culture we have at this football club. We’ll do anything for each other,” Stockley said. “I think if we can do that, we have a very good chance of being successful at the end of the year.”
“I’ve been training really well and trusting my training,” Knight said. “Tonight I got the opportunity to come in and do my thing and I felt really good. I lasted all night so I knew I had to help the team before the penalty shootout and I did. I came out big and thank god we got three points”
Charlotte Independence controlled 56.4% of possession in the loss and had a higher expected goal average of 2.1 – 1.17.
Next up for Lexington SC is a road trip to Richmond where he takes on the Richmond Kickers on Saturday, May 20th. The club then return home on 27 May for a second leg against league rivals One Knoxville SC.
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