MADISON, Wisc. - Forward Madison FC earned its first home win in history Saturday night and handed Toronto FC II its first loss of the season in the process. TFC II nearly opened the scoring in the 22nd minute as Jordan Perruzza found himself one-on-one with Ryan Coulter 12 yards out, but Coulter came up big to deny Perruzza and keep the visitors off the board.
Ten minutes later Paulo Jr. claimed the first Forward Madison goal at Breese Stevens Field, bundling a Don Smart cross over the line. TFC II’s Jacob Shaffelburg answered almost immediately. Shaffelburg received the ball on the right flank and drove towards goal, skipping past multiple defenders on his way and slotting a shot past Coulter to equalize.
Smart provided the assist on Madison’s go-ahead goal in the 69th minute, showing composure in the penalty area before laying a pass back to Carter Manly who knocked the ball home to put the Flamingos in front. Coulter was forced to make two big saves in the dying moments before Smart secured all three points, finishing a cross from Paulo Jr.
