Duluth FC vs. La Crosse Aris
La Crosse, WI
6.30.19 | Game 10
Current 2019 Records (W-L-T):
Duluth: 2-0-2; 4-1-0 at home/on the road
Aris: 1-4-0; 0-4-0 at home/on the road
Lineup: Alberto Ciroi, Liam Condone, Ronaldo Fortune, Aidan Hill, Carlyle Junior, Soham Kathuria, Julio Neto, Brooks Rice, Jake Starling, Damia Viader, James Westfield
Substitutions: Adrian Leal for Brooks Rice, Jordan Alonge for Ronaldo Fortune, Nico Torres for Soham Kathuria, Leonardo Almeida for James Westfield, Charlie Evans for Carlyle Junior
Goals:
’31 – James Westfield (DFC)
’49 – Soham Kathuria (DFC)
’73 – Nicolas Torres (DFC)
Duluth secured its fourth road win of the season this weekend when they traveled to La Crosse to face Aris, a club Duluth has played since before joining the NPSL. Both squads were welcomed by high temperatures and blistering levels of sunlight, but this didn’t stop the game from becoming an action packed one.
The first half was filled with chances for Duluth, including James Westfield’s goal in the 31st minute. Westfield used his speed to beat the keeper to a long ball that landed just outside of the 18-yard box. The Englishman made just enough contact to direct the ball toward goal, scoring his seventh for Duluth this season.
Duluth could’ve had several more if not for several strong saves by the Aris keeper, who blocked otherwise clear goals from the likes of Carlyle Junior, Ronaldo Fortune, and James Westfield throughout the first half.
The second half would commence, with both sides cycling in substitutes early to avoid problems with the heat. Soham Kathuria had a few things to say before leaving the pitch however, as he met a cross from Carlyle Junior and headed in Duluth’s second goal of the game in the 49th minute. It was Kathuria’s first of the season and a key moment to get the engines running for the second half.
The BlueGreens would score their third twenty minutes later when Nico Torres, having been fouled on the edge of the box, curved the resulting free kick neatly into the far-right corner. It was Torres’ first goal of the season and for the club.
The game would end at 3-0 with goalkeeper Alberto Ciroi leading Duluth to yet another clean sheet. Ciroi also played as captain for the match, with usual captain George Proctor absent from the game.
Soham Kathuria was awarded Man of the Match for his goal and strong presence in the midfield throughout.
Duluth sit third with Med City one point ahead and Minneapolis City two points ahead. With a game against Minneapolis up next on the docket, Duluth will have plenty of chances to grab yet another playoff run and perhaps the conference title. Duluth plays Minneapolis at home this Sunday, July 7th. Kickoff is at 3pm.
