by Chloe Notowich
June 29, 2024 (7:30 p.m.) – One Knoxville SC‘s consistency and effective teamwork in both
defense and offense led to their victory over Forward Madison FC. Despite Forward Madison dominating possession at 64%, this did not stop One Knox from creating chances.
One Knox’s Alliance Brewing Man of the Match, Frank Ross, and player, Stuart Ritchie,
combined well together and showed a strong, consistent performance. Both scored one goal
and each had three passes in the final third. Ritchie had one assist and Ross had the most
shots at three.
The backline proved to be strong and consistent as well. Ritchie had a total of six recoveries
and center-back, Jalen Crisler, had two blocks, four clearances and one interception. Jordan
Skelton, the other center-back, had four clearances and two recoveries.
From the first whistle, both teams exhibited high intensity in the offense.
In the 24th minute, Forward Madison player, Cherif Dieye, dribbled in the box and shot a curved
ball, but it went right over the goal.
In the 32nd minute, One Knox player, Kempes Tekiela, passed the ball to Rodolfo Castro Jr.
who struck it on the ground from outside the box, but Forward Madison goalie, Bernd
Schipmann, dove and saved it.
The backline for One Knox remained focused and prevented Forward Madison from creating
chances. In the 21st minute, Jalen Crisler blocked a cross from going in and Ritchie intercepted a
potentially threatening through ball in the 34th minute.
The first half ended at 0-0.
The second half determined which team could pull through on their opportunities. The ball
possession at the end of the second half sided with Forward Madison at a whopping 75%, but
One Knox showed that this did not matter in the end.
As more chances were created, Ross pulled through in the 58th minute.
Ritchie assisted the ball to Ross, who dribbled down towards the end line and shot it from a
difficult angle on the left into the center of the goal.
It was clear that the momentum was on One Knox’s side, and they were able to capitalize in the
66th minute. Ross was at it again as he dribbled downfield and attempted a right-footed shot. Schipmann
dove and the ball bounced off his hands. Ritchie was there to rebound it and hit a shot from the
left side of the box to the bottom left corner of the goal.
Forward Madison continued to try and equalize but was shut down by One Knox’s defense.
In the 83rd minute, Skelton did a back-to-back clearance in the box to keep them at a clean
sheet.
Toward the end of stoppage time, One Knox goalie, Johan Garibay, made one of the final saves
when Forward Madison player, Derek Gebhard, cut it back and made a right-footed shot from
outside the box where Garibay grabbed it in the center of the goal.
The game ended at 2-0.
This game only counts toward the USL Jägermeister Cup and does not affect their regular
season standings. One Knox has upped their spot in the standings to number two and Forward
Madison has dropped to number three in Group 2 of the USL Jägermeister Cup.
The next home game is Saturday, July 13 versus Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC at 7:00 p.m.
at Regal Soccer Stadium.
