GAME SUMMARY

Saturday, May 1, 2010                                     Richard Montgomery HS
Real Maryland Monarchs           0
Richmond Kickers                      1 (Delicâte 78’)  

ROCKVILLE, MD – The Richmond Kickers claimed their first win of the 2010 season Saturday night, edging the Real Maryland Monarchs 1-0 on the road.  Scoreless through the first half, Kickers forward Matthew Delicâte connected on a well-placed cross by defender David Hertel in the 78th minute.  With three saves on the night, goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale preserved the clean sheet.  The Kickers head to Pittsburgh to take on the Riverhounds at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 2nd before returning to the University of Richmond Stadium on Saturday, May 8th.

Maryland applied pressure out of the gates, but could not create any dangerous changes early on.  The Kickers maintained better possession and were the first to strike when defender Sascha Görres delivered a cross from the left side to a well-positioned Mike Burke in the 15th minute.  Instead of trapping it, Burke ran over the ball and drew the defender, leaving Jonathan Villanueva wide open, who struck from 12 yards out but goalkeeper Brian Levey prevented the goal with a kick save.

Later, Burke served a corner into the box, finding defender Yomby William in the scramble.  Yomby’s shot was deflected to Delicâte, positioned seven yards from the mark but his point blank side volley tested Levey who punched the ball from harm’s way.

Two minutes before the break, the Kickers looked dangerous again when Villanueva played the ball to forward Edson Elcock, through to goal.  Lining up a shot from inside the box, he narrowly missed the target, just inches wide of the far post.

The second half saw Maryland denied by the woodwork twice in span of five minutes.  First, a 63rd minute long ball was played over the top and a defensive lapse allowed Hamad Diallo to collect the loose ball.  His strike from 20 yards out beat Ronnie Pascale but was blocked by the inside of the post, falling directly into the keeper’s arms.

Then, the Monarchs delivered a corner from the right side, finding former Kickers midfielder Ben Hunter in the air.  His nod ricocheted off the near post and was cleared by the Kickers defense.

Richmond broke the ice in the 78th minute when Hertel carried the ball down the right wing, eluding two defenders as he approached the box.  He made a smart cut-back pass to a heavily marked Delicâte, who took a step back to break free from his defender and one-timed a close range strike to the near post, leaving Levey with no chance.

As full-time neared, the Monarchs attempted to level the score in the 88th minute after consistently applying offensive pressure and sending several long balls into the box.  Midfielder Nicki Paterson fired a spiraling rocket from 25 yards out but Pascale was able to get his fingertips on it and touched it over the crossbar to preserve his first clean sheet of the season.

The Richmond Kickers return to the University of Richmond Stadium on Saturday, May 8th to host the Real Maryland Monarchs and Rec-stravaganza at 7:00 p.m.  All recreational soccer players are invited to attend with their Youth Pro Passes and parents and friends can purchase discounted tickets in advance.  Order general admission tickets via RichmondKickers.com and save $2.00.

Box Score      First Half     Second Half      Final
Maryland              0                     0                  0
Richmond             0                     1                  1

Scoring Summary
78th minute – Richmond: Matthew Delicâte (David Hertel)

Lineups
Monarchs: GK Brian Levey, John Borrajo, Kenneth Sola (Matt Williams – 82’), Mason Trafford, Gareth Evans, Sean Rush (Izzy Sesay – 66’), Nate Baker (Jose Bibiano – 82’), Nicki Paterson, Ben Hunter, Alan Sanchez (Hamed Diallo – 41’), Jamie Darvill
Kickers: GK Ronnie Pascale, Henry Kalungi, Yomby William, Sascha Görres, David Hertel, Mike Burke (Jordan Evans – 89’), Luke Vercollone, Bobby Foglesong, Jonathan Villanueva (Charlie Reiter – 64’), Edson Elcock (Neil Barlow – 64’), Matthew Delicâte

Shots                   Saves                  Fouls                 Corners
Kickers:    13        Kickers:      3        Kickers:      9     Kickers:      6
Monarchs: 5         Monarchs:  6        Monarchs: 13    Monarchs:  3

Cautions:
45th minute: Hamed Diallo (Maryland)
48th minute: Nate Baker (Maryland)

Ejections:
N/A

Referee:    Dean Fairweather
Assistant Referees:   Ron Harnage, Matthew Nelson
Fourth Official:    Peter Walden
Attendance:    907
Weather:    Clear, 80º