Stonewall United moved into a tie for third place in the Manitoba Major Soccer League’s Division 3B Thursday night.
United defeated Kildonan Cavaliers SC, who entered the game in third place, by a score of 3-2.
United was denied on a penalty kick early in the match which was followed by the Cavaliers grabbing the game’s opening goal.
Shortly after a corner kick from United’s David Deroche found Dante Lourenco in the right spot in front of the net as he headed the ball into the Cavaliers goal for his first of the season.
Lourenco continued his offensive breakout later in the game after a loose ball in front of the Cavaliers goal found him alone in tight as he punched it in for his second of the night.
In the second half the Cavaliers, motivated by a red card handed out earlier in the match, stormed back with a goal of their own to even it up at two.
United quickly responded again, with a free kick set play from Ethan Caners to Adam Brown. Brown took the pass, wheeled up the wing, then crossed it over to Kevin Penner who scored a goal that proved to be the game winner.
“It was all of our best game of the year, but Adam Brown really stuck out in a positive way which is really good to see for a young player,” said United’s Matt Olnick. “There was a lot of electricity, and we were firing on all cylinders. Everybody was playing well as a team and it showed well on the field.”
With the win, United improved their record to 4-1-1 this season, and not only tied the Cavaliers in the standings but moved ahead due to holding a game in hand.
The top four teams, Elmwood FC, SCM Academy, United, and the Cavaliers all sit within three points of each other in the top four spots in Division 3B.
It’s huge. That’s going to be a team (Kildonan) we’re chasing,” said Olnick. “They are a top team and we saw it but we went toe to toe with them and came out on the better end. Going forward if we played them again tomorrow, I would like our chances.”
And though they won’t play the Cavaliers in their next match, the clubs will re-ignite their rivalry on Aug. 7 in their final meeting this season.
United’s next game comes Monday night when they take on last place WSP FC from Buhler Recreation Park.
Olnick said they will treat the match like any other game.
“Anyone can show up any day,” said Olnick. “It could be a roster thing where they aren’t getting enough players and they could come to the next game and have a full roster ready to go. We look at it as they are next up, and we have to take care of business and keep playing like we did. If we can continue that momentum, we’re going to be a tough team to beat.”
The match will go at 7:30 p.m. from Buhler.
Tribune Photos by Lana Meier
