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Hernandez Fires Red Wolves Past Kickers with Stoppage Time Strike

By USLLeagueOne.com Staff, 10/24/20, 8:15PM EDT

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Greg Hurst and Marky Hernandez found the scoresheet as Chattanooga topped Richmond 2-1

Marky Hernandez connected with Jason Ramos’ cross from the right flank in the third minute of second half stoppage time to lift Chattanooga Red Wolves SC to a 2-1 victory over the Richmond Kickers Saturday night at City Stadium. 

The Red Wolves were the aggressors in the opening 45 minutes, forcing Akira Fitzgerald to make five saves in the first half. The first chance came early on as Ricky Ruiz found Greg Hurst free in front of goal with a cross from the right flank, but the Scotman didn’t put enough behind his first-time strike and Fitzgerald was able to get to it to keep Chattanooga off the scoreboard. 

Hurst went close again in the 29th minute, turning Jonathan Ricketts’ cutback on frame from six yards out but again Fitzgerald was equal to it and parried the effort out of danger. 

Mutaya Mwape took Richmond’s first shot in the 35th minute, latching on to Mumbi Kwesele’s long cross-field pass before putting a shot on frame from a tight angle. Alex Mangels was at the near post to collect the left-footed strike. 

Fitzgerald made perhaps his most impressive save of the opening half in stoppage time, getting a strong left hand to Ricky Ruiz’s curling effort that looked to be dropping into the top corner to push it out for a corner kick and send the two sides into the break tied at 0-0. 

Kickers’ Head Coach Darren Sawatzky made three changes at halftime including injecting Oalex Anderson into the attack. The substitute brought some life to Richmond’s attack and he found Matt Bolduc free at the top of the box with a clever pass in the 52nd minute. Bolduc settled the pass and curled a dangerou left-footed shot towards goal, but it drifted wide of Mangels’ right post. 

Hurst finally found a way past Fitzgerald in the 56th minute after Conner Doyle played him through on goal. Hurst ran onto the through ball and rounded Fitzgerald before tucking the ball into the empty net to score his eighth goal of the season. 

Anderson provided an immediate response for Richmond, nodding Bolduc’s in-swinging cross home in the 64th minute to score his second goal in as many games. 

As the Kickers pressed for a go-ahead goal, Bolduc continued to look dangerous and forced Mangels into a diving save with a low shot from 20 yards out in the 79th minute. 

Bolduc’s strike was the last to hit the target until Hernandez fired Chattanooga into the lead in the 93rd minute, volleying Ramos’ cross past Fitzgerald to seal the victory for the Red Wolves. 

Following the loss, Richmond needs Union Omaha to lose and North Texas SC to drop points in their Week 15 matches in order to clinch a place in the League One Final. 

Scoring summary 

CHA (56'): Hurst (eighth), assisted by Doyle 
RIC (64'): Anderson (second), assisted by Bolduc
CHA (90+3'): Hernandez (fourth), assisted by Ramos  


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