Vermont Green FC secured three points in New London, NH on Wednesday with a 2-0 win over Black Rock FC. Goals from Zach Zengue and Yaniv Bazini were the difference.
The Boys in Green made three changes from the lineup that opened the season in Boston as Jahiem Wickham, Reid Fisher, and Sam Layton got their first starts since joining the club.
Vermont opened the scoring in just the 6th minute when Zach Zengue latched onto a pass from Gerardo Castillo and chipped the ball over the keeper and into the back of the net. Castillo was a menace down the left flank for the duration of the first half, creating multiple goalscoring chances and causing headaches for the Black Rock backline.
In the final minutes of the first half Zengue hit the inside of the post, as the Green continued to apply pressure, but were unable to find a second goal. The score remained 1-0 at the half.
After the interval, Vermont made one change: Yaniv Bazini replaced Sam Layton, who was forced to leave with a deep cut above his eye that would require stitches.
Vermont enjoyed the majority of the possession in the second half but were nearly caught by a Black Rock counterattack in the 70th minute. Jahiem Wickham was forced to make a big save to keep the scoreline at 1-0.
The insurance goal finally came In the 83rd minute, when Sjur Drechsler played a perfectly weighted throughball behind the Black Rock backline to a galloping Gerardo Castillo. The Costa Rican seized the opportunity, crossing with pinpoint accuracy to the crashing Yaniv Bazini, who buried it with his left foot. It was the University of Vermont striker’s eighth goal for the club, one shy of Diba Nwegbo’s club record of nine.
Ryan Combe, Siad Haji, Carlos Zambrano, and Nathan Simeon all entered the match in the second half. It was Simeon’s first appearance for the club.
The second goal proved to be a deflating blow to the hosts, as the Green controlled the final ten minutes of the match with relative ease. The match finished 2-0 to Vermont Green FC, who are yet to conceded in 180 minutes of USL League Two play.
Vermont Green FC now return to Virtue Field on Saturday, May 25th at 2:00pm for the Home Opener, hosting Pathfinder FC. Tickets are on sale now: tickets.vermontgreenfc.com
Lineups
Vermont Green FC — Jahiem Wickham, Gabe Threadgold, Moussa Ndiaye, Reid Fisher, Gerardo Castillo, Daniel Pacella, Sam Layton, Andrey ‘Gato’ Salmeron , Zach Zengue, Ernest Bawa, Jacob Labovitz.
Subs — Lute Lillo, Ryan Combe, Nathan Siméon, Sjur Drechsler, Carlos Zambrano, Yaniv Bazini, Siad Haji.
Black Rock FC — Christian Herluf Braae-Andersen, Yannick Tsafack-Nanhou, Joseph Min, Noah Leddel, Rafael Borlido, Andres Suarez Santana, Jordan Shullenberger, Junyoung Hwang, Samuel Lar Knauf, Sachiel Ming, Jethro Dede.
Subs— Yener Bartolon, Li Feng, Tremaine Henry, Ean Malay, Adrian Diaz Faisca, Tolamo Mbacaza.
Scoring Summary
VGFC: Zach Zengue – 6′ (assist from Gerardo Castillo), Yaniv Bazini – 83’ (assist from Gerardo Castillo).
Misconduct Summary
BRFC: 🟨 Noah Leddel – 56’, Andres Suarez Santana — 59′, Joseph Min — 70′, Yannick Tsafack-Nanhou — 73′.
Referees: Luis Reis (R), Adam Kaycee (AR1), Michael Ring (AR2), Nic Hedstrom (4th)
Weather: Cloudy, 86°F
Attendance: 42
Postmatch Quotes
“To their credit, Black Rock FC are always a tricky opponent for us. They’re a good team and a testament to the quality on the division. We controlled much of the game and were dangerous, and the guys we expect to come through in big moments did just that. We’ll get back to work and are looking forward to getting back to Virtue Field this weekend.” – Adam Pfeifer, Manager and Sporting Director
Next Match
Vermont Green FC’s USL League Two home opener is this coming Saturday, May 25th at 2:00pm vs Pathfinder FC. Tickets are available at tickets.vermontgreenfc.com. The match will be streamed on vermontgreenfc.com/streaming.
