Nkosi Burgess and Alex Bruce scored in the second half of Wednesday afternoon’s contest to help  North Texas SC come from behind to defeat Chattanooga Red Wolves SC 3-1 at CHI Memorial Stadium. 

Greg Hurst opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 22nd minute after North Texas SC’s Edwin Cerrillo was whistled for a handball. Hurst sent Carlos Avilez the wrong way and slotted home the spot kick to score his sixth goal of the season and first since August. 

The visitors provided an immediate response through a brilliant free kick by reigning League One MVP Arturo Rodriguez from just outside the 18-yard box. Rodriguez did well to get the right-footed shot over the wall and back down, ringing it off the post and in for his second goal in as many matches. 

The Red Wolves had an opportunity to regain the lead just before halftime from a set piece near the corner flag. Josue Soto’s flat delivery found Hurst at the near post, but the Scotman’s header missed the target. 

North Texas started the second half on the front foot, scoring a go-ahead goal three minutes after the break. The goal came from another dead ball situation as Rodriugez served a low cross into a pack of bodies inside the penalty area. The serve flicked off a Red Wolf and fell to Nkosi Burgess who smashed it on the half volley past Alex Mangels to score his first goal for the club. 

NTSC doubled its lead less than ten minutes later after Gibran Rayo was brought down for a penalty. Alex Bruce converted from the spot, confidently striking a shot into the top corner to give the visitors a two-goal advantage. 

Soto delivered another useful serve into the penalty area in the 73rd minute, finding the head of Ricardo Zacarias at the top of the six-yard box, but the forward’s header went over the bar and failed to trouble Avilez. 

The missed header was the Red Wolves’ last chance to halve the deficit as the home side struggled to create in the attacking third in the final 15 minutes. 

The win moves North Texas into fifth place in the League One standings, while Chattanooga remains in fourth just one point ahead of NTSC.

SCORING SUMMARY 

CHA (22'): Hurst (sixth), unassisted 
NTX (26'): A. Rodriguez (second), unassisted
NTX (48'): Burgess (first), unassisted 
NTX (57'): Bruce (second), unassisted

NEXT MATCHES

Chattanooga Red Wolves SC: October 10 v. Orlando City B (A)
North Texas SC: October 10 v. Richmond Kickers (H)