Bristol Rhythm drops 3 points on the road against Hickory FC

Bristol Rhythm AFC took on Hickory FC and dropped 3 points as they went on to lose 2-4 away from home. While it may have been a night that the team may not want to remember, the game gave them a new perspective of what to expect this season. Captain Adam Cooil stated that the team saw tonight as an “early wake up call” and said that later in the season there will be a result in the favor of the Rhythm at home against Hickory FC.

After a slow start, the Rhythm quickly found themselves trailing 0-2 against Hickory FC. Shortly before halftime, Stooge Mbaakanyi responded with a goal to cut the deficit in half, but Hickory FC answered swiftly with a third goal of their own. Following halftime, the Rhythm returned to the field with renewed energy, maintaining a much more competitive presence. Capitalizing on a penalty conceded by Hickory FC, Ulysses Hendriks converted from the spot to score the Rhythm’s second goal, providing a positive note to end the match on.

Coach Sharp talked on how the link up between players has been a big takeaway from the games so far especially between Stooge and Ulysses staying that as the season goes on the chemistry between them will keep getting better and be crucial to the team’s success. Stooge, who was voted the game’s Man of the Match, truly plays for the badge. When asked what lead to him having a performance deserving of the accolade he said, “Good game, bad game, always going to give it my all.”

The Rhythm will play two games this upcoming week. On Thursday, the team will take on Asheville FC in a non-conference game, and then continue conference play on the road against Port City FC on Saturday, May 24.

By Austin Pantaleo
Photo Credit: Emily Roberts