Vermont Green FC's Playoff Journey Continues
Vermont Green FC's Playoff Journey Continues
The Green's playoff story will have another chapter
Vermont Green FC’s playoff journey will continue as they defeated the Long Island Rough Riders 3-1.
The starting XI featured minimal changes from the last match but some interesting tweaks nonetheless. Jaheim Wickham started in net while the back line featured Nick Lockermann, Moussa Ndiaye, Reid Fisher, and Nathan Simeon.
Daniel Pacella and Sam Layton served as defensive midfielders while Yaniv Bazini played behind striker Jacob Labovits as a second striker. Jackson Castro and Zachary Zengue were on the wings looking to create chances for Bazini and Labovits.
Vermont did a good job of maintaining possession and controlling the match. Still they struggled to truly test the Long Island Rough Riders goalkeeper.
After 15 minutes, Long Island found its way into the match. The Rough Riders improved on the ball and were able to maintain possession. Still both sides struggled to put the final product together as the first 20 minutes passed without a shot on target.
Wickham was the first goalkeeper to be tested as a volley was rocketed towards goal and The Green goalkeeper was able to make a diving save in the 24th minute. But off the ensuing corner, Long Island found the back of the net with a header being re-directed right in front of Wickham.
Vermont would strike back in the 39th minute. Simeon sent a cross into Labovits whose header rocketed off the crossbar after being saved by Long Island’s goalkeeper and Labovits was able to put the rebound home.
The Vermont striker would double his tally before the end of the first half, giving The Green a lead heading into the locker room.
The second half didn’t get off to the best of starts for Vermont. Lockermann and Castro picked up yellow cards in quick succession early on in the second set of 45 minutes.
Throughout the match, The Green’s back line had a quality performance. Fisher and Ndiaye were superb as usual with Fisher having a particularly standout match.
With Long Island needing a goal, they were the more aggressive side in the second half. Vermont looked to soak up possession where it could but The Green were also interested in adding to the scoreboard.
In the 57th minute, Gabe Threadgold and Ryan Combe replaced Jackson Castro and Zengue. Additional changes came in the 78th minute as Mohammed Ibrahim and Lucas Windschauer replaced Bazini and Lockermann.
Wickham made another key save late in the match, highlighting a quality performance from the goalkeeper.
But the man of the match was Labovits. He sealed a hat trick in stoppage time, securing the win.
After the win, The Green will either face rivals Seacoast United or the Ocean City Nor’Easters.