Lexington Sporting Club opens 2024 season with 0-0 draw

GEORGETOWN, KY (WTVQ)- Lexington Sporting Club’s defense was the star of the show as the club starts its 2024 season with a 0-0 draw at home to Northern Colorado Hailstorm.

“I think both teams could have won the game,” said first year Head Coach Darren Powell. “We’ll take a lot of pride in keeping a clean sheet at home against one of the top teams in the league.”

Inside the Result

In front of 1,273 fans at Toyota Stadium, the boys in green debuted under Powell with a spirited showing even though neither side could find the back of the net.

“(Keeping a clean sheet at home) makes a real statement across the league,” said defender Kaelon Fox.

Despite not finding the back of the net, both Hailstorm and Lexington SC found the woodwork.

In the thirteen minute, Lexington’s goalkeeper Amal Knight was bailed out by his post from a shot that was sailing into the bottom right corner.

A free kick from Lexington SC forward Cameron Lancaster looked like it would break the deadlock in the eighty-first minute. But everyone in the ground, including NoCo goalkeeper Lalo Delgado, could only watch as the Englishman’s shot bounced off of the left post. Pierre Mane’s follow up from the rebound was skied over the crossbar for LSC.

“We tried to trick the goalkeeper into going to his side. Unfortunately he made a great save,” said Lancaster.

Sporting had Possession, but Lacked Pace

Lexington had 61 percent of the possession, but lacked the offense to register more than one shot on target.

“It’s disappointing, but its the first game. If we can dominate that much possession throughout the season then we’re going to get goals,” said Lancaster.

A higher speed of play and more vertical runs will be needed to kick start the Lexington offense as the players become more accustomed to each other. Powell is confident in his squad to take that challenge into training this week.

“It’s hard to break (Northern Colorado) down. So we had to keep probing,” said Powell. “In a couple of weeks that quality will be there.”

Amal Knight Picks Up Where He Left Off

Goalkeeper Amal Knight started right where he left off last season. Northern Colorado threatened minimally with two shots on target, but Knight was equal to each of them and had several clearances to eliminate any danger from his box.

“Amal’s been great. He was great last year. He’s going to have another great year this year,” said Fox, who helped the Jamaican shot stopper lead the back line to the clean sheet. “I was really happy he had a great performance,” said Fox.

Fox was the only returner among an organized backline of newcomers, Modesto Mendez, Christian Lue Young and Jorge Corrales, who started the match.

Looking Ahead

Lexington will take on Chattanooga Red Wolves next Friday March 15 at 7 p.m. at Toyota Stadium. Fox hopes that the fans will come out again to support the team as the team hopes for warmer weather and a fiery offensive attack.

“Maybe next game we’ll turn on the heater,” said Fox.