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Jacksonville Armada Score Four Unanswered Goals to Rally Past Pensacola FC

Jacksonville Armada FC U-23 comeback to win 4-1
May 24, 2022

Saturday the Jacksonville Armada FC U-23 hosted Pensacola FC at Jangro Stadium. This was the third all time meeting between the two clubs, and the Armada’s fourth match of the 2022 NPSL season.

 

From the first whistle both teams came out of the gate with aggression and ready to attack.

 

In the 16th minute, Pensacola played a ball through the Armada’s back line to take a 1-0 lead.

 

Early in the match the Armada pressed the opposition’s backline and caused Pensacola to make several mistakes, however Jacksonville was not able to take advantage of them.

 

Just before the first half concluded, Alex Ierides would pick up a yellow card.

 

Going into the break, the Jacksonville Armada were down a goal to the Pelicans. After an inspirational talk from former player and second year head coach, Tommy Krizanovic, the home team came out of the locker room eager and ready to fight for a win.

 

Coming out of the blocks for the second half of the game, Jacksonville continued to try and threaten the lead Pensacola FC had built in the first 45 minutes.

 

In the 51st minute, Eduardo Coimbra whipped in a cross from the corner to defender Elijah Howe who would rise above the defense to head the ball into the back of the net and score the Armada’s first goal of the match.

 

In the 69th minute, Jed Bowman was fouled in the opposition’s eighteen yard box, and would be awarded a penalty kick. Alex Ierides stepped up to the spot and buried the opportunity to put Jacksonville up 2-1.

 

Despite the downpour, the Jacksonville Armada continued to look for another goal to extend their lead.

 

The Armada would not have to wait much longer for a third goal because in the 73rd minute Reed Davis pressured the Pensacola defense causing the Pelicans to give up possession in their own box. Davis would play the ball into the path of Alex Ierides who finished the chance for his second goal of the match.

 

The onslaught of goals from Jacksonville would not end there. In the 76th minute Reed Davis laid the ball off to Marc Birkelund who struck the ball from the edge of the area to put the Armada up by three.

 

After the two minutes of injury time had ended, the center referee would call the game at 4-1 in favor of the Jacksonville Armada.

 

Head Coach Tommy Krizanovic had nothing but high praise for the players and to all of the fans who stayed out in the pouring rain for all ninety minutes of the match saying, “Not how we wanted to start the game but certainly how we wanted to finish it! Proud of the performance the boys put forth and a big thank you to Section 904 who were our 12th man all game long!". 

 

The Jacksonville Armada now sit atop of the Gulf Coast Conference with a four point lead over Southern States SC. Alex Ierides and Eduardo Coimbra are joint top scorers at the club with four goals each over four games.

 

The Armada U-23 fifth match of the NPSL season will take place this Saturday, May 21st, in New Orleans when they face off against the New Orleans Jesters.