Kraus' Brace Powers Nona FC to Emphatic 3-0 Road Win Over Brooke House FC

WINTER PARK, Fla. – Christian Kraus’ clinical finishes on either end of Brandon Nyagurungo’s poached score propel Nona FC to the top of the USL 2 table after Wednesday night’s action.

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“I think the boys did really well and showed a lot of resilience in the final third. I think this is a great step towards where we want to be as a team going forward into the season.”

PARKER CHRISTIANSEN NONA FC GOALKEEPER

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The Longhorns picked up right where they left off in the Brevard match, as Bernardo Monteiro’s whipped-in cross found Christian Kraus, who, after having his first attempt saved, made no mistake on the rebound to give Nona the lead within three minutes.

Kraus’ finish is tied for second for the earliest goal in Nona FC USL 2 play, with an own goal in Nona’s favor against Tampa Bay United on June 1, 2022. Only Sergio Barboza Jr.'s strike at Brevard SC on July 11, 2023 (2nd minute) was scored earlier in a match.

The Black and Orange’s advantage set the tone for the rest of the contest, and a wild sequence of events in the 17th minute almost saw them double the lead.

Andre Navas fired an effort at goal from the wide area that was spilled by Brooke House goalkeeper Chema Preciado, and Kraus’ attempted rebound fell to the oncoming Tomas Ritondale, whose subsequent shot was saved again.

The rest of the first half was all Nona FC, with the Longhorns registering six shots on target to Brooke House’s zero, ending the half on the front foot for the second time in two games.

After the break, the Black and Orange registered seven shots with three on target in seven minutes, grabbing the game by the horns and not letting go.

With Brooke House under immense pressure as the Nona barrage continued, defender Dominic Bell misplaced a pass back to his goalkeeper in the 74th minute that substitute Brandon Nyagurungo saw right through and nicked from Preciado, finding an empty net to extend the lead.

Nyagurungo’s goal was his first of the season and the first by a substitute for Nona since July 9, 2024 when Simon Afrifa-Kodua scored off the bench in a 5-2 triumph over Brevard SC away from home.

The final 15 minutes of the contest saw the Nona defensive front stand strong, highlighted by a stellar one-on-one save in the 88th minute by Nona goalkeeper Parker Christiansen in his first start for the club.

As the final seconds in regulation concluded, the previous goalscorers combined for a third to put the match away in the 90th minute. After substitute Abdou Mane played a ball to Nyagurungo out wide, Kraus made a run into the center of the box and slotted home a low cross to score his second of the night.

With his brace, Kraus now ties the all-time goalscoring record in Nona FC history with Tarik Pannholzer (2022-23) on 10 goals, having done so in only 15 appearances, which is the fastest by a Nona player to reach 5+ goals.

The pair of strikes also represent Kraus’ fourth in one game for Nona, more than any other player in club history.

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“I am humbled to help the team win today. As far as the goal record, I am not concerned with any numbers other than three points each game. Goals and clean sheets are great, but three points are what matter most.”

CHRISTIAN KRAUS NONA FC FORWARD

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Nyagurungo’s efforts cannot go unnoticed, as his goal and assist mark only the second time in club history that a substitute has scored and assisted in a match since Charles Ahl achieved the feat on June 8, 2024 in a 4-1 win away at Florida Elite SA.

On the defensive end, goalkeeper Parker Christiansen marked his first start for the club with a clean sheet.

“It feels great to be able to represent the club and of course get the clean sheet,” he said, “but that’s not too hard when you have an amazing back line.”

The result on Wednesday night saw the Longhorns jump to the top of the USL 2 table in the Southeast Division as the only team to take a perfect six points from two games.

“This is a terrific group filled with love and passion,” Kraus said. “I am excited to regroup and go again with the boys!”

Nona FC returns home on Sunday, May 25, to host Sporting Jax at 7 p.m. as it begins a two-game homestand at Austin-Tindall Sports Complex. 

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