Chattanooga Red Wolves SC midfielder Conor Doyle, right, goes against Forward Madison FC’s Jeff Michaud during Saturday night’s game at Chattanooga Christian School. The Red Wolves won 1-0 for their first USL League One victory.As Alex Mangels defended his home net with lockdown authority, the Chattanooga Red Wolves Soccer Club goalkeeper and his teammates were spurred by the “buzz” of their home crowd.
With 3,527 spectators for the USL League One club’s first official home match Saturday night, a dominant defensive showing led to a 1-0 victory over Forward Madison FC at Chattanooga Christian School’s David Stanton Field.
“The atmosphere, the noise and turnout was amazing,” Red Wolves coach Tim Hankinson said. “I was trying to communicate at the top of my lungs over on the sideline, and the guys can’t hear me because of the buzz. I salute the fans. Mangels played flawlessly, too.”
A week after a high-pressing attack let two major mistakes determine a road loss to North Texas SC in their opener, a more patient approach worked wonders for the Red Wolves.
Mangels turned away a one-one-one opportunity in the first half, and after the break he reeled in a dangerous header and dove to his left in the 79th minute to make another of his four saves. The back line of Richard Dixon, Andrew Moullin, Leo Folla and Vangjel Zguro in front of him was just as stellar.