First win for men: Sporting Club Jacksonville earned its first competitive victory in men’s soccer, with goals from Rafferty Pedder and Ahmad Al Qaq securing a 2-0 victory in the USL Cup tournament against third-level opponent Sarasota Paradise at Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch.
Pedder finishes long run: Pedder scored in the 34th minute, taking a pass from Kieran Sadlier and dribbling 20 yards into the Sarasota defense before drilling a low shot from the edge of the penalty area. Al Qaq made it two in the closing minutes after a cross from Edgardo Rito.
Dudley gets start: Former Bartram Trail High School defender Ethan Dudley started alongside Ryan Edwards and Antonio Gomez in a central defensive trio.
Quick free kicks: The game formed part of the USL Cup series for teams in both the second-tier USL Championship, like Sporting Jax, and the third-tier USL League One, like Sarasota Paradise. … Although the win is the first for Sporting Jax men’s soccer in competition, they are still seeking their first victory against clubs at their own level in the USL Championship. … Christian Olivares made three saves to preserve the Sporting Jax shutout.
Up next: Sporting Jax plays another USL Cup match on the road against FC Naples at 5 p.m. Sunday, May 17.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Sporting Jax men’s soccer earns first win in cup match
Reporting by Clayton Freeman, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
