GAME SUMMARY:
Superior City opened their 2023 UPSL season with a gritty 1-0 win over Twin City FC. The game opened up slow, with both teams feeling out the tempo and physicality of their opponents. Wind played a factor in the half, forcing both teams to get forward without the opportunity of stretching the field or easily executing fast counterattacks. Superior City got a break in the 32nd minute when a Citizens midfielder mishit a reset ball back to his keeper Maxim Henderson, which hung in the air just long enough for Mally Lumsden to catch the goalkeeper in no-man's land. Lumsden found air and flicked the ball over Henderson and into the back of the net, opening his UPSL scoring account. The rest of the half was fairly uneventful, with Superior's backline stomping out any possible breaks for the home side. The teams went into half fairly content, with a lone goal separating the squads.
The second half picked up pace as the frame went along, with a plethora of counterattack movement from both clubs as space opened up. The half began strong for Superior City, who had a few chances in on net which were mishit or wasted. As the half went along, Twin City started to pick up offensive momentum and dominated the midfield. Henrico Zena picked up a yellow card in the 74th minute on a necessary tactical foul. The last 15 minutes consisted of Twin City FC pressing Superior into their defensive third, but the boys from the North didn't break. SCFC keeper Walker Marquardt came up with two huge saves, stifling a one-on-one chance and then stretching out to his left on the next attack, keeping his clean sheet as Superior earned a 1-0 win over the Citizens. Superior were outshot in the game 6-3.
"I'm really happy about the win, but I feel that we're leaving a lot to be desired in terms of pace and movement right now. The potential is there, we just need to find our game. Our defensive line played great today, and Walker did a great job in his first UPSL-level start, he had some big saves when we needed him to. This is a huge win for our club and for the soccer communities and programs in the North. All of these kids have ties to greater Twin Ports area, and we're excited to bring the boys home for a game on our turf this next weekend in Superior." - SCFC General Manager Kaden Bergman
BOX SCORE:
4-30/Spring Lake Park High School/UPSL League Game
Superior City FC................................1 0 - 1
Bateaux FC.........................................0 0 - 0
First Half - SCFC - Malcolm Lumsden (Unassisted) 32'
Second Half - None
Saves: SCFC - Walker Marquardt (6 saves); TCFC - Maxim Henderson (2 saves)
LOOKING AHEAD:
Superior City FC return to Superior for their Home Opener on Saturday, May 6th against Maplebrook 58ers FC. The match will be at the NBC Spartan Sports Complex in Superior, WI with the kickoff scheduled for 7:00 PM CT.