In many ways, Everson Lima's goal came at the perfect time.
On the eve of his 32nd birthday, the Chattanooga Football Club defender scored what turned out to be the game-winning goal, heading in a Juan Hernandez pass in the 51st minute of a 2-1 win over Greenville FC on Saturday night in front of 3,524 at Finley Stadium.
Lima's first goal of the season - after a number of close opportunities throughout the year - helped CFC keep pace with league-leading New Orleans. The Jesters won 3-1 Friday night and have 23 points in their 12 matches for a 1.92-per-match average. CFC has 21 points in 11 matches for 1.91 per match.
"I feel lucky to have scored," Lima said through teammate and translator Jose Ferraz. "I've been chasing it; I asked God and prayed a lot of times for this moment to happen, and I couldn't have asked to score in a better place than in front of the fans that sang 'Happy Birthday' and supported me all the time.
"It was a very important goal for the team. I was grateful I was the one that ended up scoring, but tonight was a team effort and everyone needs to celebrate and enjoy the victory. Our last game wasn't good, but we've been working hard for the fans, so tonight was great."
CFC jumped in front in the 26th minute on a goal by Caleb Cole, but the visitors from South Carolina tied the match in the 50th minute when Jack Hoey slotted the ball into the back of the net. Less than a minute later, Lima scored to put CFC back in front.
"It seems like all we have is dramatic matches against any team we play," CFC coach Bill Elliott said. "I'm happy for Everson. He's been close many times this year, and even early in the first half he had a really good chance. He was anxious to get one for his birthday."
CFC has three regular-season matches remaining, two on the road. It hosts Inter Nashville FC on Wednesday, then visits the Georgia Revolution on Friday before concluding the regular season with a match against the Atlanta Silverbacks next Sunday at a site to be determined. The meeting with the Silverbacks is a makeup of the match last Wednesday at Christian Heritage School in Dalton, Georgia, that was called due to stormy weather.
"Tonight was very important," Elliott said. "We need to get wins and hang around the top of the table. Our goal is to make the playoffs with the best possible seeding and hopefully host some playoff games, so we've got to take maximum points every time out to do that.
"We have a tough stretch. Our work is cut out for us, but the boys are in a good place mentally."
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenley3.