Orange County SC defeated Loudoun United FC 3-1 on Saturday, July 15 at Segra Field in Leesburg, VA. The Black and Orange won their fourth match in the last five contests behind the first goal of the season for Marc “Sparky” McNulty, and one goal each from forwards Milan Iloski and Korede Osundina.
The home team started out as the aggressors early on, earning a chance in the second minute as Loudoun forward Zach Ryan found forward Jackson Hopkins inside the center of the box. Hopkins fired a right footed shot that earned a prompt save from Orange County SC goalkeeper Colin Shutler.
The Black and Orange responded with a statement in the 15th minute as defender Ryan Doghman lofted a ball deep into Loudoun territory that was headed back towards Sparky. Sparky took a timely touch around the keeper and wielded the ball into the back of the net for the first goal of the game, putting OCSC ahead 1-0.
Orange County SC continued on the hot foot earning another opportunity in the 38th minute as forward Milan Iloski drew a foul in the penalty box as he was pushed from behind by Loudoun defender Yannis Leerman, earning his first yellow card of the game. Iloski then finished off the penalty kick with a left footed strike to the bottom left corner of the net, giving OCSC a 2-0 advantage.
However, the home team quickly answered back in the 42nd minute. Loudoun midfielder Kalil ElMedkhar slipped in a through ball to forward Jackson Hopkins. His left footed shot spun past Shutler into the bottom left corner of the net, cutting the OCSC lead to 2-1.
Shutler came up big again for OCSC with his third save of the night just before halftime as ElMedkhar found himself with a run just outside the box, firing a right footed shot that was saved in the bottom right corner of the net, keeping the OCSC lead at 2-1 going into the break.
The second half was a defensive battle as OCSC desperately tried to hold on to their one goal advantage. The shots became increasingly more aggressive for Loudoun. In the 71st minute, midfielder Cole Turner earned a free kick after a tough tackle by OCSC defender Alex Villanueva. Turner’s curving shot was saved in the bottom left corner of the net by Shutler.
Shutler again came up huge with a momentous save in the 75th minute as Loudoun midfielder Houssou Landry played a through ball to Hopkins, whose quick shot was saved by Shutler, preserving the one goal lead for OCSC.
Substitute forward Korede Osundina finally broke through in the 84th minute putting the insurance stamp on the OCSC victory. After an errand clearance from Loudoun goalkeeper Dane Jacomen, OCSC forward Thomas Amang found Osundina in the middle of the box, who splashed a left footed shot into the back of the net, giving the Black and Orange a 3-1 advantage.
OCSC held off a final push from Loudoun as things got chippy down the stretch. A pushing fest occurred at midfield after a free kick was awarded, resulting in a second yellow card for Leerman sending him off, and a yellow card for OCSC substitute forward Thomas Amang. Nonetheless, OCSC was able to keep their composure, holding off the home team for their fourth victory in the last five games.
OCSC will be back in action next weekend at Memphis 901 FC on Saturday, July 22, where they will finish off a three game road trip, before heading back to The Champ on Saturday, July 29 when they face New Mexico United on Family Game Night! This is also our Touch-A-Truck event! Grab your tickets here today!
MILESTONES AND FACTS:
With the goal tonight, forward Sparky McNulty scored his first career goal for OCSC.
| TEAM | FIRST HALF | SECOND HALF | FULL TIME |
| OCSC | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| LDN | 1 | 0 | 1 |
SCORING SUMMARY:
15’ Sparky McNulty (OCSC)
38’ Milan Iloski (Pen) (OCSC)
42’ Jackson Hopkins (LDN)
84’ Korede Osundina (OCSC)
DISCIPLINE SUMMARY:
ORANGE COUNTY SC
8’ Markus Nakkim
69’ Alex Villanueva
93’ Thomas Amang
LOUDOUN UNITED FC
24’ Houssou Landry
37’ Yannis Leerman
45’ +4 Jeremy Garay
59’ Aidan Rocha
79’ Wesley Leggett
93’ Yannis Leerman (Red)
ORANGE COUNTY SC LINEUP:
Colin Shutler (GK); Ryan Doghman, Owen Lambe, Markus Nakkim (C), Dillon Powers; Brian Iloski (Korede Osundina 78’), Seth Casiple, Ashish Chattha (Alex Villanueva 66’), Kevin Partida; Milan Iloski (Bryce Jamison 73’), Sparky McNulty (Thomas Amang 66’)
Unused subs: Juan Santana (GK), Ashton Miles, Ben Norris
Head Coach: Morten Karlsen
Possession: 43% | Shots: 8 | Shots On Goal: 3 | Corners: 1 | Fouls: 3 | Offsides: 1 |
LOUDOUN UNITED FC LINEUP:
Dane Jacomen (GK); Koa Santos, Yanis Leerman, Cole Turner (C), Aidan Rocha; Kalil ElMedkhar (Wesley Leggett 64’), Houssou Landry, Jeremy Garay (Bryce Washington 45’), Jake Morris (Abdoul Zanne 64’); Jackson Hopkins (Juan Ramirez 85’), Zach Ryan (Abdoul Koanda 85’)
Unused subs: Hugo Fauroux (GK), Jace Clark
Head Coach: Ryan Martin
Possession: 57% | Shots: 15 | Shots On Goal: 7 | Corners: 9 | Fouls: 15 | Offsides: 2 |
Orange County SC @ Loudoun United FC
2023 USL Championship | Matchday 20
Date: July 15, 2023
Venue: Segra Field (Leesburg, VA)
Weather: Electric