RICHMOND, VA – The Richmond Kickers and the Virginia Beach Mariners battled to a 1-1 stalemate during tonight’s James River Cup second leg but the Kickers were forced to relinquish the title after seven consecutive seasons due to the 4-1 aggregate series score.  Midfielder Jeff Bilyk increased the Mariners series lead in the 25th minute while Kickers forward Robert Ssejjemba equalized tonight’s score in the 37th minute in front of a crowd of 2,476.

 

Bilyk created the first chance of the night when he banged a shot off the crossbar in the 4th minute.  Later, in the 25th minute, Bilyk caught a volley on forward Nate Micklos’ bouncing ball in the box and set a dipping ball just as goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale came off his line for the Mariners only goal of the night, fourth in the series.  Kickers midfielder Mike Burke attempted to equalize in the 30th minute, sending a volley at the top of the box just wide of the upper left corner.  Seven minutes later, Kickers defender Tony Williams fed a long ball to Ssejjemba who split two defenders before cutting to the inside of the on-rushing last defender.  As goalkeeper Matt Nelson came out to cut down the angle, Ssejjemba chipped the ball from 17 yards out into the open goal.

 

After the second half re-start, few chances were created on either end of the field.  On loan from D.C. United with the Kickers, forward Andy Metcalf set up an opportunity on the left side of the box but his shot was deflected wide by a Mariners defender.  In the 66th minute Virginia Beach midfielder Tim O’Neill sent a dangerous cross near the goal but Pascale was able to one-punch it out of harm’s way.  In a last minute effort to take the lead, Richmond forward Cristian Neagu drove a shot from the top of the box just wide left of the goal.

 

The Kickers will open the regular season next Saturday, April 22nd, hosting the Cincinnati Kings at 7:00 p.m. at the University of Richmond Stadium.  The first 1,000 fans through the gate will receive a 2006 Richmond Kickers schedule magnet.

 

Box Score         First Half     Second Half       Final
Virginia Beach              1                0                   1   
Richmond                     1                0                   1

 

Scoring Summary
26th minute – Virginia Beach: Jeff Bilyk (Nate Micklos)
37th minute – Richmond: Robert Ssejjemba (Tony Williams)

Lineups
Kickers: GK Ronnie Pascale, Tony Williams, Kevin Knight, Kelvin Jones, Steve Wolfe, Chris Carrieri (Eric Dutt – 90th minute), Kofi Nti, Tim Brown, Mike Burke, Robert Ssejjemba (Cristian Neagu – 83rd minute), Andy Metcalf (Cecil Lewis – 77th minute)
 

Mariners: GK Matt Nelson, Chris Schwarze, Craig Demmin (Shane McFaul - 46th minute), Steve Danbusky, Felix Brillant (Lee Scroggins – 87th minute), Tim O’Neill, Nate Micklos (Ryan Mack – 78th minute), Jakob Fenger (Gary Brooks – 46th minute)

 

Shots               Saves               Fouls              Corners
Mariners: 12    Mariners: 1       Mariners: 18    Mariners: 5 
Kickers:   11    Kickers:  6         Kickers:  13      Kickers:  7

 

Cautions:
48th minute: Steve Danbusky (Virginia Beach)
56th minute: Shane McFaul (Virginia Beach)
67th minute: Kupono Low (Virginia Beach)

Ejections:
None.

 

Referee:    Scott Johnson
Assistant Referees:   Brad Skotko, Brian Starling
Fourth Official:    Alex Addison
Attendance:    2,476
Weather:    Sunny, Warm, 80º
First Market Bank Man of the Match: Robert Ssejjemba

 

Call (804) 644-5425 ext. 301 for further information.
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