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LAUDERHILL, Florida – The University of The Bahamas (UB) Mingoes men’s soccer team had a tie under its belt heading into the match against Fort Lauderdale University on Friday and the team was determined to pull off a win. UB prevailed in a back and forth match.
Ronaldo Green turned in a hat trick for the Mingoes en route to a 3-2 win.
“It was a war,” said Head Coach Alex Thompson. “It was a very ugly game and a very hard fought game and I couldn’t be happier with the guys.”
The team started fast and aggressive under the overcast sky at the Lauderhill Park in Lauderhill, Florida. The match started under overcast skies that turned into a several short downpours.
In the 11th minute, winger Jervane Turnquest was attacking the goal and was tackled hard in the box resulting in a yellow card and penalty kick. Midfielder Ronaldo Green took the penalty shot for his first score of the match to put the Mingoes up 1-0.
Fort Lauderdale responded quickly with a quick goal in the 13th minute to tie the match at 1-1.
Green was undeterred and scored in the 19th minute on a brilliant attack to put UB up 2-1.
Fort Lauderdale responded just before the half to tie the match at 2-2.
In the second half, Green completed the hat trick with his third goal and put the Mingoes up 3-2. That took place in the 58th minute. Green clenched his fists and let out a scream and then dropped to his knees in celebration.
The Mingoes’ defense held off several attacks from Fort Lauderdale in the final minutes, including three strong shots on goal to pick up the 3-2 win.
Green said the third goal, which sealed the win and the hat trick, was important to him.
“The team was fighting a mental battle due to injuries and the game before that,” he said. “Many of the players played 90 minutes in the previous game so it was tough in this game. So, when I scored that third goal it was very emotional because we had to really fight in that match.”
Thompson said that Green, Turnquest, and goalkeeper Antonio Beckford had a spectacular performance through the two games.https://6e60782504963c76fcfdfd5e22467e9d.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html
“That’s an undefeated tour for us,” he said. “We further developed the culture and the DNA of the squad and I think it gives us a lot of confidence going into the next tour and the men’s league.”
The Mingoes will play Fort Lauderdale University again on October 26. That match is scheduled for 3 p.m. on October 26 in Lauderhill, Florida.