Hickory FC Holds Off Ristozi FC in 3-2 Thriller to Advance to NPSL National Final in Front of Record 6,247 Fans
Hickory, N.C.-- Saturday night in the foothills of North Carolina, arguably two of the hottest teams in the country met with a trip to the NPSL National Championship on the line. On one side stood Ristozi FC — a fast-rising club out of Baltimore in just their first year of league play.
On the other was Hickory FC — undefeated in over a calendar year and quickly earning the label of a team you don’t want to see when the stakes are high.
From the opening whistle, the tension was obvious. Every touch felt cautious, every pass a bit rushed. Neither side could quite settle in, and for the first 25 minutes, it was clear both teams were still feeling each other out — trying not to make the first mistake.
But gradually, Hickory began to find their footing. And soon enough, they started to take control of the match.
The breakthrough came in the 28th minute, courtesy of a moment of brilliance from midfielder Alvaro Sanchez.
Exploiting a high defensive line, Sanchez delivered a precise through ball to Robbie Deighan, whose well-timed run put him in behind the defense. Deighan remained composed and played a beautiful pass to a cutting Ronan O’Mahony, who finished clinically to give Hickory a 1-0 lead.
And Hickory wasn’t done.
As the half wound down and Ristozi FC looked to regroup before the break, Hickory struck again.
Once more, in the 41st minute, it was Sanchez creating the opportunity — this time delivering a well-placed cross to the far post. Geoffroy Letienne met it in stride, rising above his marker to head it home and extend the Hickory FC lead to 2-0.
The first fifteen minutes of the second half picked up right where the first left off. Hickory controlled possession and looked poised to see the match out with the same defensive discipline that had earned them shutouts in their first two playoff games.
But in the 60th minute, Ristozi broke through. A corner kick took a deflection in the box and fell to Yohsuke Ono, who tucked it away to cut the deficit in half, 2-1.
Hickory didn’t panic — and they didn’t take long to answer.
Just seven minutes later, Antonio Pineda split the Ristozi backline with a perfectly timed through ball to a cutting Tomas Pollacchi. Pollacchi beat the keeper to restore the two-goal cushion, giving Hickory a 3-1 lead. But the goal came at a cost. Pollacchi was upended on the play and remained down, eventually needing assistance to leave the field.
Still, Hickory regrouped and held steady heading into stoppage time. The pace slowed, and it looked like they were set to cruise into the NPSL National Final.
Then came one last push.
Eight minutes into added time, Ristozi’s Toga Katsuma found space at the edge of the box and fired a shot that found the back of the net, making it 3-2 and injecting life back into the match.
Just one minute later, Ristozi nearly sent a Hickory FC record crowd of 6,247 into a state of shock. A dangerous through ball opened up another chance — and a deflection that clanged off the crossbar.
Inches from disaster.
But Hickory recovered, cleared the danger, and held on for a dramatic 3-2 win — punching their ticket to the NPSL National Championship on Saturday, August 2.
Hickory FC will face El Farolito of San Francisco in the Championship match.
Photo Credits: Chris Von Drehle and Bryson Smith/Hickory FC