Take 2-1 win against Brilla to maintain pursuit of playoffs
OCALA, Fla. – The Ocala Stampede earned a crucial three points, keeping first place in the PDL’s Southeast Division within sight, by defeating the visiting Mississippi Brilla 2-1 on Friday night at Trinity Catholic Stadium. The victory gave Ocala, which won at Mississippi 1-0 on May 12, the two-game season sweep of the defending division champions.
It didn’t take long for the Stampede to strike; in the 12th minute Karamba Janneh received a great pass from midfielder Douglas Dos Santos before ripping a shot past Mississippi goalkeeper Davis Griffin to put Ocala on top. The Stampede doubled their lead 13 minutes later when Richmond McCarthy sent a through-ball to Janneh, beating the Mississippi defense, that allowed the forward to score his second goal of the game and give the Stampede a 2-0 halftime lead.
After the halftime break, Mississippi got onto the front foot and finally caught a break in the 63rd minute when the Stampede’s defense cleared a ball out for a corner kick. Midfielder Orrin Farrell crossed the ball to the head of midfielder Jared Girard who fired the ball past Ocala goalkeeper Steven Diaz, cutting the Stampede’s lead in half and giving the Brilla new life.
From there, the game got very physical, and Mississippi’s Chrispin Ochieng was given a red card for a hard foul on Joe Dawkins in the 68th minnute. A minute later, two of the Brilla’s coaches were ejected for what the referee said was “irresponsible behavior” as both walked onto the field in protest of the red card. Down to 10 men, Mississippi continued to attack but was unable to find a way through the Stampede’s defense, allowing Ocala to hold on for the victory and move the Stampede one step closer to the playoffs
“It wasn’t the best we have played this season, but the three points at this stage of the season is very important with our push for a playoff position,” said Head Coach Matt Weston.
The next match for the Stampede will be on Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. at Trinity Catholic High School as they host the FC Jax Destroyers. For more information about the Ocala Stampede contact the Communication Department by phone at 352-304-2341 or by e-mail at k.hayes@ocalastampede.
