Greenville Escapes Richmond With a Point

Late goal from Ivan Agyaakwah keeps Triumph undefeated at City Stadium since 2020

Image from Greenville Triumph/USL League One

Greenville Triumph drew Richmond Kickers 3-3 on Friday night to maintain a lossless streak at City Stadium going back to August 2020.

The squad had to come from behind twice to do it, having conceded an early goal, and then two unanswered.

Josh Kirkland started the goal scoring for Richmond, with a goal from a difficult angle on the right side in the 3rd minute. It was Kirkland’s third on the season after having scored a brace against Westchester on April 29th.

Greenville struck back twice in quick succession later in the half. In the 31st minute, Connor Evans took a shot that was saved by Richmond goalkeeper James Sneddon, but the ball ended up back at Evans’ feet. The first year right back took a right footed shot past Sneddon for the first of his professional career.

Less than two minutes later, Greenville struck again, this time a goal by second year professional Ben Zakowski. The midfielder scored earlier this season against Omaha, but hit the post multiple times over the last few matches. This time, he had no issues sending a left footed shot into bottom right corner. Winger Chevone Marsh picked up the assist on the goal.

However, Kirkland would strike again before the half closed out, tapping in a cross from Darwin Espinal that deflected off a Greenville defender. The second consecutive brace in league play for Kirkland represents all four goals in his professional career after signing with Richmond midway through the 2024 season.

The second half saw few solid chances for either side until the 80th minute. Richmond set up for a corner set piece taken by Nils Seufert that found the head of Gui Franca. The defender’s attempt went off the crossbar, finding the head of Chandler O’Dwyer who sent the ball into the net. It was O’Dwyer’s third of the season.

The home side was unable to hold on to the lead though, as Greenville struck back again just four minutes later on a set piece of their own. Sebastian Velasquez stutter stepped a free kick, which was then taken by Connor Evans. The pass into the box found Ivan Agyaakwah, who sent a left footed shot to the top of the net. It was Agyaakwah’s first professional goal, and Evans’ second assist.

With the point each, Richmond moves in to third place, but with four matches in hand on fourth place Knoxville, which plays Sunday at Portland. Greenville moves into sixth place.

Greenville has the coming weekend off, and will host AV Alta FC on May 17th. Richmond meanwhile will travel to Chattanooga on May 10th.

Match Notes

Attendance: 5,023

Goals

RIC: Josh Kirkland (Nils Seufert): 3’
GVL: Connor Evans: 31’
GVL: Ben Zakowski (Chevone Marsh): 33’
RIC: Kirkland: 39’
RIC: Chandler O’Dwyer: 80’
GVL: Ivan Agyaakwah (Evans): 84’

Discipline

GVL: Leo Castro, Yellow: 35’
RIC: Maxi Schenfeld, Yellow: 52’
GVL: Carlos Anguiano, Yellow: 72’
GVL: Brandon Fricke, 86’