Pouye’s Penalty Seals Victory Over Inter Gainesville KF In Season Finale, 1-0

LAKE NONA - Mouhamed Pouye converted a second-half penalty kick to lead Nona FC past Inter Gainesville KF, 1-0, in the season finale on July 14 at Austin-Tindall Sports Complex.

The Longhorns clashed with Inter for the second time in three days, once again coming out on top with a 1-0 victory.

The match began slowly with no shots on target from either team until Andre Navas’ low-driven effort in the 38th minute.

After that, the Black and Orange began to test the opposition, forcing Gainesville goalkeeper Jordins Pierre to make several crucial saves, the most dangerous coming from Mouhamed Pouye’s free kick in the 40th minute.

Following the halftime restart, Steingrimur Gunnarsson delivered a pinpoint long ball towards Pouye on the right wing. The Senegalese attacker controlled the pass and raced past a Gainesville defender into the box where he was taken down twice, while still possessing the ball.

As he turned toward goal, Gainesville midfielder Hykeem Martin brought him down from behind for a third time, giving the referee no choice but to point to the penalty spot.

Pouye stepped up and placed the ball in the top-right corner of the net, sending Pierre the wrong way to score the lone goal of the contest and Nona’s first penalty kick of the season.

After the goal, the Longhorns defended valiantly and were only tested in the 87th minute. Gainesville striker Fritz Paul brought down a through ball and fired a shot in one motion, forcing an acrobatic fingertip save from Gunnarsson to preserve Nona’s lead.

The victory on the final day secured a second-place finish in the Southeast Division for the Longhorns, marking their third straight top-two finish since joining USL League Two in 2022.

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