Match called early in second half with Liberty down 0-2
Huntersville, NC (July 2, 2022) – First-half goals by the Charlotte Independence and severe weather handed the Greenville Liberty Soccer Club its first loss of the 2022 season on Saturday night. The Liberty allowed two goals before the halftime break, and a series of weather delays ultimately lead to the match being called in favor of the Charlotte Independence early in to the second half, ending the Upstate club’s impressive unbeaten run.
Greenville faced Charlotte for the third and final time this season on Saturday, having won both previous matchups. Featuring a different squad after their playoff and division-clinching win last week and down a handful of players to college preseasons, the club got off to an uncharacteristically slow start. The absence of Greenville’s typical early control of matches led to an early Independence goal, after goalkeeper Katelyn Kellogg was caught out of position. The league-leaders struggled to adjust to the Independence formation and were unable to utilize the midfield as the Liberty attack tried to counter the opening score. Near the end of the half, forward Maddie Turlington was able to get a shot off, but unable to capitalize as it skipped outside the frame. Countering from the Liberty shot, Charlotte defender Jada Palmer was able to dribble 30 yards down the field to spark the Independence offense for their second goal. The final minutes of the half drained away, ending in 2-0 for Charlotte at the break.
Both sides returned for the second half, just to be cut short minutes after the whistle blew. What looked to be a momentum shift in favor of Greenville ended in an hour-long weather delay as storms rolled through Huntersvillle. After consideration from both teams and the USL W League, the match was called early as a 2-0 final in favor of the Charlotte Independence.
The Greenville Liberty will play its final regular season match next Saturday, July 9th at Wake FC.