ST PETERSBURG — A 23rd-minute goal proved enough for Hartford Athletic managing to hold on for a 1-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rowdies at Al Lang Stadium on Tuesday night.
The goal came off an impressive long-ball, Preston Tabort Etaka gathered the long ball and then swung it in for Derek Dodson to head home down out of the reach of Evan Louro.
Things could have been very different if the Rowdies cashed in on their opening chance of the night. Early in the match, Dayonn Harris set up Sebastian Guenzatti but the captain could only lift the ball over the bar.
In the 19th minute, Guenzatti got even closer, finding the woodwork after he cut back with the ball, the ball bouncing out off the post, just four minutes later his team was punished for that miss.
Right before halftime, a clever backheel from Leo Fernandes was a golden opportunity but it went wide of goal. Following that close chance, Guenzatti had two headers that were very well saved to keep it scoreless at the break.
After the team talks Tampa Bay continued to dominate possession and control the match, but again just couldn’t make that count.
Laurence Wyke came off the bench to try and change things for the hosts but he couldn’t have that impact. He hit a powerful shot not long after coming on the match but couldn’t keep it down.
Seven minutes from time was the best chance the Rowdies had all night. Zach Steinberger gathered possession from a failed clearance and shot but the keeper did well to make the stop.
It was a stunning performance from Jeff Caldwell in the Hartford net, earning his side all three points as he made multiple impressive saves in stoppage time.
Photo courtesy Tampa Bay Rowdies
Florida Soccer Report 