Royals Overwhelm Rangers with Best Offensive Performance of Season

Jake Hilpertshauser celebrates his opening goal.

A humid and stuffy day in Gladstone MO saw the Royals visit Happy Rock Park to take on Antioch Rangers FC. The last time these two teams met, both sides fielded weakened sides that played a gripping 4-3 match that ended in Woodland's favor. The return fixture would be nowhere near as close for the Select League newcomers. Woodland played their most explosive match of the season going forward recording a 9-2 victory, and keeping their incredibly slim chances at the league title still alive.

The match started quickly for Woodland with the ball working its way out to Jake Hilpertshauser on the left. He cut inside quickly, split two defenders, and fired a long, low, hard shot from close to 25-yards out that settled in the bottom corner for the early 1-0 lead, Hilpertshauser's 2nd of the season in the league.

1-0

It wouldn't take long for Woodland to double their advantage. The Royals worked the ball down the right this time, utilizing both Elluan Martins Gomes, and Brett Jackson to set up Federico Verlicchi at midfield, who fired a dipping shot that sailed over the keeper, and just under the bar.

2-0

Naguib Nassir played a ball out from the back to Jake Hilpertshauser again on the left in acres of space. He played an excellent and smart reverse ball to Sean Thomson in the middle of the field. Thomson raced ahead, and curled a through ball into the path of TJ Mikkelson who was racing through midfield past the centre-back. He touched the ball ahead into the box, was fouled from behind, stayed on his feet, and calmly slotted it home.

3-0

The Royals' 4th came about thanks to some individual brilliance from Elluan Martins Gomes down the right side. He collected the ball in the channel down the right, dribbled past his man, held off a challenge, split two defenders, held off another challenge, fought through a shirt pull, dribbled to the end line, and fired a low cross past the goalkeeper to Brett Jackson who was wide open on the back post. He had to tap in an easy goal, that was comically the opposite of what it took to set up the goal.

4-0

Halftime

Following an Antioch free kick, Woodland turned defense into attack with aplomb. Steeve Pouna, Jake Hilpertshauser, and TJ Mikkelson combined down the right side to create a dangerous chance. Mikkelson found himself open down the right side, and fired a low, hard, cross that Brett Jackson controlled well. Jackson deftly flicked it over to Elluan Martins Gomes who slid past his man, and tapped home from close range, returning the favor from the end of the first half.

5-0

Antioch tried to work the ball down their left, but some excellent pressure from Sean Thomson forced a turnover. He outmuscled his man, raced forward with the ball, played a give-and-go with Martins Gomes, and flicked a ball backwards to the onrushing Verlicchi who fired home at the far post for a well worked goal.

6-0

Antioch managed to move the ball well through the midfield through Kaleb Fannin, a truly standout player on this Antioch team. The William Jewell College product played an excellent through ball to Daniel Martinez, who was able to finish well past Nassir.

6-1

Shortly after the restart, Woodland received a free kick after Sean Thomson was fouled on the left hand side. Woodland played it quickly to Verlicchi in space, who placed a 50-yard ball right on the head of Jake Hilpertshauser. Hilpertshauser headed it across the face of goal, to a grateful Brett Jackson who, again, tapped home from close range.

7-1

Just after the 2nd half hydration break, Antioch was gifted a penalty kick after a shoulder-shoulder challenge in the penalty box. Johnathan Young made a challenge on the ball, and was penalized for it. Antioch put the penalty kick away

7-2

The six-goal lead would be restored in short order when Joseph Caughron collected a through ball from Federico Verlicchi, set his feet on the left side of the penalty box, and fired a hard drive into the far side netting for an excellent goal for the young forward.

8-2

The scoring would be completed when Verlicchi completed his hat trick, and the team's ninth goal. His corner kick sailed directly into the goal without being touched. It survived the scrum and nestled gently into the goal.

9-2

A resounding, complete, and comprehensive win on the road against a talented Antioch team that had earlier pushed Woodland to the brink. Woodland sits 6-points behind league leaders Olathe United with 2 games to play. If Olathe loses all 3 of their remaining matches, and Woodland wins out, Woodland will retain the title. As things stand, if Olathe earns even a single point from their remaining 3 matches, Olathe will be crowned champions.

You can watch the match replay on our club youtube channel.

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