Playing just its second match of the National Independent Soccer Association season, the Chattanooga Football Club wasted no time asserting its dominance on the West Coast.
First-year center back Antolie Prepelita scored one goal and assisted on another as Chattanooga FC beat Albion San Diego 5-0 on Sunday in California.
On a corner kick just 1:24 into the match at Canyon Crest Stadium, Prepelita lunged in the middle of the box to send in a header to the back left corner of the net. The 25-year-old from Moldova helped build a 3-0 lead in the 20th minute when he sent a long assist to a wide-open Taylor Gray.
CFC improved to 2-0 in NISA play, having beaten Gold Star FC Detroit 3-0 in the season opener on April 1 at Finley Stadium.
Jean Antoine, NISA's reigning Golden Glove winner, has impressed in goal to start the season, and Markus Naglestad has taken early steps to earn a second straight Golden Boot, given to the league's leading scorer. In the 35th minute, Naglestad continued his dominance with his fourth goal in as many games this season.
Midfielder Alex McGrath scored in the 10th minute, and Lenny Lopez had the final goal in the 87th as San Diego was shut out in its NISA opener.
CFC returns to competition at 7:30 p.m. Saturday as Flower City Union visits Finley for a NISA match.
Next after that for CFC is a third-round match in the U.S. Open Cup against Birmingham Legion FC at 8 p.m. Eastern on April 26 in Alabama.
Compiled by Patrick MacCoon. Contact him at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com.