Quick burst boosts Kickers

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This article was published 23/06/2016 (3299 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Hanover Kickers weathered a come-from-behind rally Monday to win their first game in three tries.

Their last two contests, though, were ties, so it has now been four games since the 4-1-3 Kickers—tied for first place in the competitive Division 1—have found themselves on the losing end.

They needed resiliency on Monday against FC Internazionale. With the Kickers exploding for two early markers just 12 minutes into the frame at the Steinbach Soccer Park, the visitors kept pressing onward. They tallied late in the first half and early in the second half to even the tilt at 2 apiece.

Midway through the second half, speedy Mitch Martens streaked down the right side toward their offensive box, prompting FC Internazionale to knock the ball from Martens out of bounds. Following a well-placed corner kick that had the Kickers within striking distance, Maksim Agapov, a call-up from the Hanover Strikers, headed the ball in for the game-winner.

Agapov was joined on the scoresheet by goal-scorers Paul Reich and Martens.

“After tying the game 2-2, I think it was a good result for the (other team) but for us that was not satisfying,” said coach Andry Giesbrecht. “The guys knew that, they put in the extra shift and got the result.”

The Kickers are competing in the First Division this season after last year playing its first campaign in the best outdoor league the Manitoba Major Soccer League offers: the Premier League. Hanover was demoted for finishing in the bottom two and, if they maintain their current pace, they can expect a promotion next year, a luxury afforded to the best two teams at regular season’s end.