Chattanooga goalkeeper Greg Hartley jumps to catch a Atlanta shot. Chattanooga FC defeated the Atlanta Silverbacks 3-0 to claim the Southeast Conference soccer title at Finley Stadium Saturday night, July 11, 2015During the Chattanooga Football Club's run to the 2014 National Premier Soccer League final, reserve forward John Davidson took advantage of late playing time and scored goals in four consecutive matches.
This season, it seems to be Samuel Goni's turn.
Goni scored late goals during last weekend's Southeast Conference playoffs at Finley Stadium, putting the icing on the cake in victories over Nashville FC and the Atlanta Silverbacks Reserves. The latter gave Chattanooga FC its fourth consecutive conference championship.
He's another example of the quality depth the club has added in recent seasons, and that depth could prove instrumental as CFC continues pursuit of an elusive NPSL championship. Tonight at 7:30 the local team takes on the Miami Fusion FC in a South Region semifinal at Finley Stadium.
In the wake of Thursday's shootings in Chattanooga, the club has made shirts with the hashtag #NOOGASTRONG that will be sold at tonight's match for $15. The proceeds will go to the families of those who lost loved ones in the attacks on two military centers. In addition, the club will be offering free admission to active-duty service men and women, as well as law-enforcement personnel with proper identification.
Goni and defenders Nic Edgington and Sean Rutter are first-year CFC players who have scored at least one goal this season. Goni's seven rank second on the team to veteran forward Luke Winter.
"We're a deep team," CFC coach Bill Elliott said. "I always feel that separates us from our competition. We're blessed with a deep team, and an organization that lets us bring players in that can do a job."
CFC (14-2-1) enters the match as the second seed in the South Region, behind the Myrtle Beach Mutiny. Miami is the third seed, while FC Wichita is the fourth seed. A CFC win tonight coupled with a Wichita upset of Myrtle Beach would give the Chattanooga club yet another home match next weekend.
"We have an amazing crowd behind us," midfielder Leo De Smedt said last week. "Every time we play with this crowd, it's getting bigger and bigger every time. The Chattahooligans are crazy and we want to play well and win for them; it's a great feeling to have them behind us."
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him at twitter.com/genehenleytfp.