The Chattanooga Red Wolves defeated the Richmond Kickers 2-1 on Saturday night at David Stanton Field.

After a back-and-forth first 20 minutes of the match, the Red Wolves struck first in the 24th minute after midfielder Ami Pineda was tripped and fouled in Richmond’s box by Braeden Troyer who received a red card for the foul. Ualefi stepped up and finished from the spot, giving Chattanooga a 1-0 lead.

In the 31st minute, VangjelZguro fed SitoSeoane a through ball deep in the Richmond 18-yard box and past the Richmond’s backline. Seoane finished the chance, giving Chattanooga a 2-0 lead. The goal marked Seoane’s sixth of the season and Zguro’s seventh assist.

The second half saw more back-and-forth play to start off, however, it was Richmond who converted first. In the 65th minute, Richmond’s Charles Boeteng fired a shot past goalkeeper Alex Mangels and into the bottom right corner of the net.

Following the goal, Chattanooga was on the defensive for much of the rest of the match with Mangels holding down the fort between the posts as the Red Wolves secured the win.

The Red Wolves were outshot in the game by Richmond 13-11 but logged more shots on target with five as opposed to the Kickers’ four.

Defender Richard Dixon made his first start for the Red Wolves on Saturday night since April 20.

“Obviously it is good to be back and be with the team at such a crucial moment,” Dixon said. “It feels great, and I am looking forward to the next one.”

With the win, Chattanooga stays in fifth place in the standings but moves one point back of fourth-place Forward Madison FC (11-9-7) heading into the final week of the season.

The Red Wolves will claim the fourth and final playoff spot next Saturday if they defeat Toronto FC II and if Madison loses or draws to Lansing Ignite FC (12-5-10). The Madison and Lansing match kicks off at 3 p.m. while the Red Wolves match with Toronto FC II is slated for 7 p.m. at David Stanton Field. For tickets, visit chattredwolves.com/tickets.

GAME SUMMARY 

First Half:  

• 4’ –Charles Boateng (Richmond Kickers) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is saved in the center of the goal by Alex Mangels (Chattanooga Red Wolves).
• 5’ –Dennis Chin (Richmond Kickers) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
• 12’ –VangjelZguro (Chattanooga Red Wolves) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
• 15’ –Greg Hurst (Chattanooga Red Wolves) header from the center of the box is close but misses to the left. 
• 22’ –Penalty conceded by Braeden Troyer (Richmond Kickers) after a foul in the penalty area. Troyer is issued a red card, and Richmond begins play with 10 men.
• 24’ –Goal! Ualefi (Chattanooga Red Wolves) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom right corner.Chattanooga Red Wolves SC 1, Richmond Kickers 0.
• 26’ –Greg Hurst (Chattanooga Red Wolves) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the center of the goal. 
• 31’ – Goal! SitoSeone (Chattanooga Red Wolves) right footed shot from the center of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by VangjelZguro. Chattanooga Red Wolves SC 2, Richmond Kickers 0.
• 37’ – Maximiliano Rodríguez (Richmond Kickers) right footed shot from a difficult angle and long range on the left is just a bit too high from a direct free kick.
• 43’ – Greg Hurst (Chattanooga Red Wolves) right footed shot from very close range is close but misses the top right corner.

Second Half:

• 51’ –SitoSeoane (Chattanooga Red Wolves) left footed shot from outside the box is too high.
• 59’ –Elijah Lockaby (Richmond Kickers) right footed shot from outside the box is close but misses to the right following a set piece situation.
• 65 – Goal.Charles Boateng (Richmond Kickers) left footed shot from the center of the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Mutaya Mwape.Chattanooga Red Wolves SC 2, Richmond Kickers 1.
• 68’ – Juan Ignacio Mare (Chattanooga Red Wolves) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right is closebut misses to the right.
• 69’ –Ualefi (Chattanooga Red Wolves) right footed shot from outside the box is close but misses the top right corner.
• 72’ –Charles Boateng (Richmond Kickers) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the top left corner by Mangels
• 87’ –Juan Ignacio Mare (Chattanooga Red Wolves) right footed shot from the center of the box is saved in the center of the goal.
• 88’ –Mutaya Mwape (Richmond Kickers) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top center of the goal.