skip navigation

Marquee Victory Continues OCB’s Charge

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 08/27/17, 3:54PM EDT

Share

Cox, Fenlason stepped into spotlight in victory against Louisville


Photo courtesy Em-Dash Photography / Louisville City FC

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Prior to Saturday night if you were looking for a marquee result in Orlando City B’s club-record undefeated streak, you probably had to go back to its beginning, when it handed the Rochester Rhinos only their second home defeat of the season on June 23 at Capelli Sport Stadium.

More than two months later, OCB made its biggest statement of the season yet as a 3-0 victory on the road against Eastern Conference leader Louisville City FC at Slugger Field extended the club’s run to 11 games, and moved it to sixth in the USL Eastern Conference standings.

“I’m proud of the boys tonight to earn a fantastic three points on the road,” said OCB Head Coach Anthony Pulis. “Michael Cox took his two goals incredibly well. Jake Fenlason made some excellent saves. Three-nil probably flattered us a little bit; Louisville had a lot of the ball tonight but we defended well.”

Cox and Fenlason came through for OCB in the absence of leading scorer Hadji Barry and goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr., who had led the team in minutes played this season. Cox’s first two goals of the season – both in the first half – were a throwback to 2016 when the Canadian led Orlando with 11 goals, as his two emphatic finishes put the visitors on the path to victory.

Making only his second start of the season, Fenlason shone as well. His eight-save shutout was aided by a solid display by the OCB backline as Louisville ended with a 20-8 shots advantage, and helped earn Orlando its third shutout in its last four games.

“I thought [Fenlason] was excellent,” Pulis said. “He was probably a little bit nervous before the game, which is to be expected, but Jake’s a fantastic kid. He trains really, really hard every day. The attitude that he brings to the group is first-class and I was delighted for him tonight that he played so well and he got a shutout. He deserves it for the work he puts in every day.”


Photo courtesy Em-Dash Photography / Louisville City FC

While the side has moved into the playoff positions, though, the pressure to maintain that spot is now on. Up next is Thursday night’s game against fellow playoff contender Bethlehem Steel FC at Orlando City Stadium, which sits only two points back of OCB.

“It’s important that we don’t get too carried away because we’ve got a huge game on Thursday against Bethlehem,” said Pulis.

After OCB’s struggles down the stretch on the way to the postseason a year ago, though, this side is looking capable of achieving much more.

Follow the USL Championship

Most Recent News

Most Read News

Latest Videos