Bolduc Assists and Scores, Kickers Win 3-2 in Saturday Night Thriller

RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond Kickers emerged victorious in a 3-2 win on Saturday night against AV Alta FC at City Stadium. Richmond utilized a combination of fast-paced offense and staunch defense to stifle the California-based visitors, securing the win in the wake of Matt Bolduc’s 79th minute strike into the top of the net. 

From the opening whistle on Saturday evening, the Kickers displayed a level of speed and efficiency that carried them through an active first half. Richmond fired 16 shots in the first window, eight of which were shots on target. Tyler Freeman found the back of the net first in the weekend contest, as a 22nd-minute rip from just inside the box found the goal for a 1-0 lead.

AV Alta opened the first half with a goal of their own; however, the Kickers would go on to respond with goals in the 75th and 79th minutes, as Josh Kirkland and Matt Bolduc respectively would lift the Kickers to what would be a 3-2 victory at City Stadium.

AV Alta FC was led by Jimmie Villalobos, who logged a goal and two shots in the fixture. 

Breaking Down The Action 

• The Kickers began Saturday night’s contest with immediate offensive pressure, sending a cross into the box in the second minute.
• Espinal’s first of six shots was taken in the fourth minute, but the AV Alta goalie grabbed the attempt.
• Freeman found an early attempt in the seventh minute, but the shot was saved.
• A pair of corners in the 12th and 13th minute respectively led to no result.
• Freeman struck again in the 18th minute, yet the goalie blocked the half-volley shot at the last moment.
• Freeman, after two early attempts, found his goal in the 22nd minute, sending a shot in for a 1-0 lead.
• The Kickers continued to look to double the lead, sending shots towards the net in the 32nd, 34th and 35th minutes. 
• Harold Hanson curled a shot from the left side of the box in the 39th minute, but it travelled just wide right. 
• Zahir Vazquez received an opportunity directly in front of the net in the 43rd minute, but an acrobatic save from the Alta goalie denied the chance.
• The Kickers entered halftime with a 1-0 lead. 
• AV Alta FC evened the score quickly in the second half, scoring in the 48th minute. 
• A back-and-forth game summarized the early second half as both teams exchanged shots. 
• Owen O’Malley took a shot in the 62nd minute, but the chance sailed high.
• Josh Kirkland subbed on for Tyler Freeman in the 66th minute.
• Beckett Howell and Ali Sasankhah subbed on for Harold Hanson and Dakota Barnathan in the 71st minute.
• Josh Kirkland reclaimed the lead for the Kickers in the 75th minute, converting a well-placed Bolduc assist for the goal.
• Moments later in the 79th minute, Matt Bolduc continued his offensive production, rifling a shot into the tip of the net for a 3-1 lead.
• Austin Amer and Tarik Pannholzer entered for Owen O’Malley and Zahir Vazquez in the 80th minute. 
• AV Alta converted a late goal in the 87th minute, making the score 3-2. 
• Six minutes of stoppage time are added to the second half.
• The Kickers claimed a hard-earned three points, winning Saturday night’s matchup, 3-2. 

Notable Numbers  

• 1: Saturday night’s victory against AV Alta marked Brian Ownby’s first USL1 league win as head coach. 
• 1: Both Matt Bolduc and Tyler Freeman scored their first goals of the season in Saturday’s game.
• 1: Tyler Freeman’s 22nd-minute goal was the first goal of his Kickers career.
• 3: Yann Fillion made three saves on the evening.
• 6: Darwin Espinal led the Kickers with six shots on the evening.
• 10: Captain Dakota Barnathan is playing in his 10th professional season and fifth as a Richmond Kicker.
• 13: The Kickers have had 13 different goal scorers across their last 18 matches. Josh Kirkland leads the team with four goals in the 2026 campaign.
• 18: Saturday marked Richmond’s 18th match in the USL1 regular season.
• 20: The Richmond Kickers attempted 20 shots against AV Alta FC, tying their season high set against Charlotte Independence on July 25.
• 25: Saturday marked Richmond’s 25th match of the season across all competitions.
• 34: 2026 marks the Kickers 34th continuously operating season.
• 10,000: Barnathan eclipsed his 10,000th USL1 regular season minute against Chattanooga on Wednesday, May 27.

Series History  

• Richmond now holds a 2-1-1 record against AV Alta FC all-time.
• The two clubs last faced each other on March 7, 2026, as the season-opening fixture ended in a 1-1 draw at Lancaster Municipal Stadium.