One Knox Maintains Spot Near Top of Table With 2-1 Win at AV Alta
Stoppage time goal from Kempes Tekiela seals the victory on the road
LANCASTER, California - One Knoxville finished out the week 28 action on Saturday night with a 2-1 victory at AV Alta.
Javier Mariona scored early for the hosts, assisted by Jerry Desdunes. The play came from the aftermath of a corner set piece unable to be cleared by One Knox. Desdunes sent the ball towards the goal where it found Mariona, who played it into the net.
It was the second regular season goal for Mariona, who signed his first professional contract this off-season after breaking out last year with Central Valley Fuego as part of that club’s academy. Both Mariona and Desdunes also returned from international duty with The Philippines and Haiti respectively.
One Knox equalized just three minutes later. Stuart Ritchie sent a cross into the box that found the head of Mikkel Gøling, sendint the ball into the net for his fifth of the season. The first-year midfielder now co-leads One Knoxville in goals, tied with veteran Babacar Diene. It was Ritchie’s first assist of the season, despite leading his side in chances created.
For much of the match, AV Alta dominated possession, and had several dangerous shots go just wide or hit the post. Knoxville goalkeeper Sean Lewis also made three saves, including a dive to stop a Desdunes free kick.
However, neither team could find the go-ahead goal through most of the second half until stoppage time. It was the Knoxville substitute Kempes Tekiela, entering the match for Diene in the 72nd minute who would make the difference.
In stoppage time, Ritchie sent another cross into the box, finding the head of Gio Calixtro. AV Alta goalkeeper Carlos Ávilez made the save, deflecting the ball back into the back. However, Tekiela sent the deflection into the goal to seal the match for Knoxville.
With the win, Knoxville moved back into third in the table, tied in points and wins with fourth place FC Naples, but leading on goal differential. Both are only four points away from top ranked Chattanooga Red Wolves.
The loss continues AV Alta’s winless streak, now at ten. The last regular season win came at home against Omaha on July 5th. Despite the streak, AV Alta remains in playoff contention, at 7th in the able and just ahead of a surging Union Omaha.
AV Alta will host South Georgia Tormenta next Saturday, another club surging up the table after three straight wins. Tormenta sits at 9th place with 29 points, only two back from AV Alta.
Meanwhile, Knoxville will travel to Omaha for a matchup on Sunday, September 21st.