CFC claims fourth straight NISA Independent Cup Southeast Region Championship

Staff file photo by Patrick MacCoon / Chattanooga FC held on to win a fourth straight NISA Independent Cup Southeast Region Championship with Saturday's 3-2 home win over AC Houston Sur.

Chattanooga Football Club used a dominant first half offensively to secure some familiar hardware for the trophy case.

For the fourth straight season CFC claimed the NISA Independent Cup Southeast Region Championship with a 3-2 home victory over USL League Two's AC Houston Sur.

Chattanooga was lights out in the first half as Luis Garcia-Sosa, Lenny Lopez Jr. and Alex McGrath provided scores for a three-goal lead.

Garcia-Sosa controlled the ball and turned inside the top right of the box to fire in the match's first score to the top of the net in the 10th minute.

An outstanding set piece in the 15th minute for CFC produced a long cross from the left sideline that found the head of Colin Stripling well beyond the far right post that was sent to the feet of Lenny Lopez Jr. who knocked it in from right in front of the goal.

Alex McGrath extended the lead to 3-0, as he drilled in a penalty kick to the bottom right corner in first half stoppage time.

AC Houston Sur made things interesting late as they caught the CFC defense lacking with goals in the 81st and 83rd.

Chattanooga held on and is now 7-0-3 at Finley Stadium this season in what has been the club's best season in 15 years as a professional team so far. CFC has outscored opponents 20-7 at home this season, which started with a 3-3 draw in late January against the MLS' Atlanta United.

Chattanooga FC will resume league play against Gold Star FC next Saturday at 7 p.m., and Rod Underwood's club will return home on August 5 to take on the Savannah Clovers at 7:30 ET.