Uganda Cranes’ defender Henry Kalungi has been named Charlotte Independence defender of the year after a fruitful season with the club.
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With the Ugandan at the helm of the defensive section, Independence registered a 75.4 percent tackle success rate registering six clean sheets throughout the term.
By the close of season, Kalungi had the second highest number of clearances – 117 – with 15 blocks and 49 interceptions.
Kalungi played 2380 minutes, 27 starts, with an 85.5 percent passes success rate.
The star registered an improvement from last season, spending more time on the field of play, amassing less yellow cards.
Charlotte Independence lost their last league game 1-0, to Southern Derby rivals Charleston Battery at home.
Congrats to former @WinthropSoccer Henry Kalungi on being selected @CLTIndependence Defender of the Year. pic.twitter.com/YOD7NDRa3T
— Winthrop Soccer (@WinthropSoccer) October 24, 2017
Kalungi and colleagues held out till the 35th minute when some beautiful passing unlocked the Independence defense.
Kotaro Higashi sent in a through ball for Ataulla Guerra who slid it in for the goal, just beating the defensive clearance attempt.
Independence eventually finished 5th in the Eastern Conference booking a USL Cup Playoff quarterfinal match up against 4th placed Rochester Rhinos.
Unfortunately, they lost to the side, exiting the post season competition after deflected goal by Stefan Defregger in the 113th minute gave the visitors a 2-1 victory.
2017 USL Cup Playoffs: Quarterfinal matchup:
Rochester Rhinos 2-1 Charlotte Independence
Scoring:
53’ – ROC – Jochen Graf (Ray Lee)
69’ – CLT – Enzo Martinez (Jaime Siaj)
113’ – ROC – Stefan Defregger (Kenardo Forbes)
2017 USL regular season:
Records:
Overall: 13-10-9 (48 points) | Home: 7-4-5 (26 points) | Road: 6-6-4 (22 points)
Goals For: 52 | Goals Against: 40
Leaders:
Goals: 1. Enzo Martinez 16; 2. Jorge Herrera 12; 3. David Estrada 5; 4. (tie) Jaime Siaj, Lewis Hilton 4
Assists: 1. (tie) Enzo Martinez, Jorge Herrera 5; 3. (tie) Alex Martinez, Joel Johnson 4
Saves: 1. Cody Mizell 85, 2. Kyle Renfro 2
