Red Wolves Ride a Spectacular First Half to a Victory in Madison
September 13, 2022 – United Soccer League One (USL1) – Chattanooga Red Wolves SC News Release
The Red Wolves were back in action on Saturday night in Madison as the squad traveled to face Forward Madison FC. Rey Ortiz would nearly open the scoring just five minutes into the match as he lashed a strike towards goal from the center of the 18-yard box, but his whizzing effort went just narrowly wide of the post. Moe Espinoza would bring himself into the match just minutes later, when he fired from outside the box in the 12th minute and the Red Wolves again narrowly missed going 0-1 up.
Just one minute later the Red Wolves would find a well-deserved opener, as Nicolas Cardona scored his first Red Wolves’ goal smashing in a brilliant header from a gorgeous free kick via Jose Carrera-Garcia to make the score 0-1. Five minutes later the Red Wolves would strike again as a corner was whipped in and Daniel Navarro would score a special goal that nutmegged the defender to make it 0-2.
After soaking up a bit of pressure from the hosts, Rey Ortiz would strike for a third Red Wolves’ goal in the 30th minute. He latched onto an errant pass from the hosts before dispatching calmly into the bottom corner to put the visitors up 0-3. An absolutely outstanding half wasn’t done with three goals, as Alex Tejera grabbed his second goal in three matches. Josue España played a fantastic through-ball to split the defenders and Tejera finished with class into the bottom corner to cap off a rampant four-goal first-half performance. Forward Madison would score in the 38th minute to cut into the lead, but the Red Wolves would go into the half with a commanding 1-4 lead.
The Red Wolves would make a change to start the second half as Rafa Mentzingen entered for Rey Ortiz. After a back-and-forth fifteen minutes to begin the half, Forward Madison would grab a second via Michael Maldonado to cut the Red Wolves lead down to 2-4 in the 62nd minute. Six minutes later, Interim Head Coach Jimmy Weekley would make his second change as Ryley Kraft and Juan Galindrez
entered in place of Alex Tejera and Josue España. Galindrez’s introduction would mark his 50th appearance for the club, in which he has scored 20 goals in USL League One.
Forward Madison would pile on the pressure late as they looked for a third, but the Red Wolves’ backline stood tall to repel the danger. DJ Benton would come on in place of Timmy Mehl in the 84th minute, followed shortly by the hosts hitting the post in the 86th minute courtesy of Jeremiah Streng. Despite the pressure, the Red Wolves would strike last in the 88th minute. Juan Galindrez, on his milestone appearance, latched onto Rafa’s effort that hit the bar and finished with ease to put the game to bed at 2-5.
Ualefi would come on for Jimmy Villalobos late to help see the game out, and the Red Wolves would grab a huge victory to cement their fourth place standing in the USL League One table as the race for a playoff berth continues to heat up.
The Red Wolves are back at home on Saturday September 17th to take Richmond Kickers. The 17th’s match dubbed, “Noche de Lobos,” will celebrate the commencement of Hispanic Heritage Month. Tickets available.
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