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Hilton Rewards Independence in Steel FC Romp

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 07/29/17, 6:58PM EDT

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Midfielder strikes twice as Charlotte extends undefeated run to 10


File photo courtesy Em-Dash Photography / Louisville City FC

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Charlotte Independence extended their undefeated streak to 10 games with a 4-0 victory against Bethlehem Steel FC as Lewis Hilton scored twice for the visitors at Goodman Stadium. The Independence took the lead in just the seventh minute as a good move down the left came to Lewis Hilton, whose low shot found the left corner of the net from 25 yards. Steel FC almost leveled immediately, but Bilal Duckett recovered from a mistake to block Cory Burke’s shot from the left side of the left side of the penalty area. Hilton almost added a second, only for his shot to deflect wide off Jorge Herrera after Tomas Romero had come off his line to deny Enzo Martinez, but Herrera added his 12th of the season in the 19th minute when he pulled away from his marker and buried Joel Johnson’s low cross. Bethlehem’s Anthony Fontana went close to pulling a goal back, but Independence goalkeeper Cody Mizell punched away, while Ken Tribbett had his header in first-half stoppage time turned wide of the left post, but two minutes into the second half Hilton notched his second after he and Martinez had broken the offside trap and the midfielder finished a low cross from close range. Burke tried to get Steel FC back into the game with a good header that Mizell got down well to save in the 69th minute, but Bethlehem was reduced to 10 men with 16 minutes to go as Aaron Jones was sent off. Alex Martinez then added a fourth for the Independence in the 80th minute, wrapping up all three points.

Scoring:
7’ – CLT – Lewis Hilton (Enzo Martinez)
19’ – CLT – Jorge Herrera (Joel Johnson)
47’ – CLT – Lewis Hilton (Enzo Martinez)
80’ – CLT – Alex Martinez (Jun Marquez Davidson)

Three Things That Matter:

  • 1. After looking dangerous but being held scoreless on home turf on Wednesday night, the Charlotte Independence’s attack roared back into life on its way to a convincing victory against a Bethlehem Steel FC side that entered the game undefeated in its last five home games. The Independence found space well in the attacking third, with the veteran move by Jorge Herrera to notch his 13th goal of the season as he slowed just enough to provide Joel Johnson with a path to cross a sign of the chemistry Charlotte has built. Now undefeated in 10 games, the Independence continue to look like a team that will give anyone problems.

  • 2. While Jorge Herrera continued his outstanding month of July, midfielder Lewis Hilton made the most of a rare chance to start this season with a two-goal performance that capped a strong all-around performance. Hilton’s opening goal was precisely struck, and he was unfortunate that Herrera’s posterior deflected wide a clear shot after another good attacking foray by Enzo Martinez. Hilton would get his second of the game, and third of the season, early in the second half as he and Martinez continued to link well. Add in an accurate passing game that saw him create four chances for teammates, and Head Coach Mike Jeffries has something to think about ahead of next Saturday’s game against fellow high-flyer Louisville City FC.

  • 3. Steel FC’s eight-game undefeated streak put it in good position for the USL Eastern Conference playoff race, but it will want to turn around its now two-game losing streak quickly for fear of the memory of last season’s second-half swoon returning. Bethlehem was in a similar position this time last season, but went on a 12-game winless streak to end the season. It’s unlikely something like that reoccurs, this team has more talent and should find the net more consistently, but it will want to get things back on track sooner rather than later. With a visit to an Ottawa side that is chasing it for a playoff place next Saturday, there’ll be no time like the present for Bethlehem at TD Place.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Lewis Hilton, Charlotte Independence – Hilton had two goals, but also was a tremendous cog in the center of midfield to help Charlotte extend its undefeated streak to 10 games.

Upcoming Games:
Bethlehem Steel FC
at Ottawa Fury FC – August 5, 7 p.m. ET, TD Place
Charlotte Independence vs. Louisville City FC – August 5, 7 p.m. ET, Sportsplex at Matthews

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