GAME SUMMARY
Friday, July 13, 2007 University of Richmond Stadium
Richmond Kickers 4 (Watson 3, 90 Schramm 40, Bulow 45)
Charlotte Eagles 1 (Harvey 44)
RICHMOND, VA – The Richmond Kickers (10-1-2, 32 points) gained three points on the Charlotte Eagles (9-5-1, 28 points) tonight with a 4-1 final score during the first leg of this weekend’s home-and-home series. Kickers’ midfielder Matt Watson led the team, netting two goals and contributing two assists while Ricky Schramm and David Bulow registered a goal apiece. Charlotte’s only goal of the night was delivered by Dan Harvey. The two teams swap home field advantage, heading for Charlotte to finish the series tomorrow night.
The Kickers picked up an early lead with a third minute tally. Deep on the left side, Bulow took a throw-in, arching the ball into the box. After a few deflections in the danger zone, Watson found himself in scoring position and tapped it in for the first goal of the night.
The Eagles attempted to retaliate in the 10th minute when forward Dustin Swinehart intercepted the ball in the midfield and carried it towards goal. Under pressure from Kickers defender Evan Harding, Swinehart fed the ball to Gregg Schroeder on the left side. Schroeder reconnected with Swinehart at the top of the box, but his header sailed just past the upright.
It looked as though Richmond would increase their lead in the 27th minute when a Charlotte defender passed the ball back to goalkeeper Dan Benton. With the Kickers attack closing in, Benton attempted to clear the ball but instead, found Görres 30 yards out. The left-footed midfielder settled the ball and fired a missile on target but the ball collided with side netting instead.
Swinehart picked up where he left off in the 36th minute, this time connecting with midfielder Joseph Kabwe. Kabwe eluded defenders on the right side, turned and crossed the ball to Swinehart but he volleyed the ball high over the crossbar. Seconds later, the Eagles created another dangerous chance, this time with Harvey firing a cannon that was destined for goal. Deflected out of bounds by Kickers defenders, the resulting corner kick swung into the box but Kickers netminder Ronnie Pascale punched the ball out of harm’s way.
As the end of the first half neared, Richmond was not to be denied a second time. Schramm intercepted a poor Eagles clearance and played the ball wide to an on-rushing Watson on the right side. Watson slid the ball back to Schramm, inches from the goal mouth, as Schramm redirected it into the net in the 40th minute.
Charlotte answered three minutes later when midfielder Jacob Coggins collected the ball deep in the corner. Controlling the ball to the end line, he played it back to Harvey around the penalty area. Settling the ball, Harvey drilled a right-footed blast to the far corner, inches past Pascale’s outstretched hands.
The first half whistle looming, the Kickers put another goal on the board, with seconds left in stoppage time. Pascale punted the ball to midfield, finding Watson who gathered the ball and penetrated the 18-yard box. He flicked the ball on to Bulow on the left side. Dodging defenders, Bulow slotted a low ball past the diving ‘keeper’s extended reach, marking his fifth goal in six regular season games played.
The second half restart found the ball in Charlotte’s control. Kabwe collected the rebound at the edge of the box, dribbled left and attempted a left-footed strike that sailed high and above the woodwork.
Swapping possession in the midfield for the next twenty minutes, the Kickers were next to fire at the 66th-minute mark. Forward Nowaf Jaman intercepted the ball and sprinted down the field, splitting two defenders while avoiding obstruction. Approaching the top of the box, a poor clearance allowed Jaman to regain control of the loose ball at 18 yards, left 1v1 with Benton, but his strike sailed high of the target.
Three minutes later, Watson collected the ball in the backfield and played it back across the top of the box to midfielder Mike Burke. Burke established control and unleashed a right-footed strike but Benton made a leaping save.
The Eagles set up back in Kickers territory in the 73rd minute, creating a scuffle inside the box. Midfielder Ross Spencer fired a low ball from close range, slipping just past a diving Pascale. The attempt ricocheted off the far post and was deflected by defenders but the rebound fell to forward Adam Ruud. Pascale recovered and challenged Ruud and his shot slipped wide. Two minutes later, the Eagles drew a foul just outside the box. Harvey lined up the free kick, 20 yards out, but his shot sailed over the crossbar.
Richmond registered the final goal of the night in the 83rd minute. Forward Freddy Smith won the ball deep on the right sideline, fighting off defenders and carrying it across the endline. Cutting in towards the goal, he played it back Watson, unmarked at the penalty spot. Watson touched it down and buried a right-footed half volley skipping just under Benton, finding net.
The Kickers take to the road for a five-game road stand beginning with tomorrow night’s trip to Charlotte. Returning home on Saturday, August 4th, the Kickers host FREE YOUTH NIGHT with the Western Mass Pioneers at 7:00pm at the University of Richmond Stadium. Visit www.RichmondKickers.com to download free youth tickets (ages 3-17), courtesy of the Richmond Kickers Youth Soccer Club.
Box Score First Half Second Half Final
Richmond 3 1 4
Charlotte 1 0 1
Scoring Summary
3rd minute: Richmond: Matt Watson
40th minute: Richmond: Ricky Schramm (Matt Watson)
43rd minute: Charlotte: Dan Harvey (Jacob Coggins)
45th minute: Richmond: David Bulow (Matt Watson)
83rd minute: Richmond: Matt Watson (Freddy Smith)
Lineups
Kickers: GK Ronnie Pascale, Stephen Wolfe, Trevor McEachron, Evan Harding, Sascha Gorres, Trey Alexander (Ihor Dotsenko – 62’), Kelvin Jones, Ricky Schramm (Nowaf Jaman 59’), Mike Burke (Freddy Smith – 72’), Matt Watson (Charlie Howe – 85’), David Bulow (Kevin Edwards – 85’)
Eagles: GK Dan Benton, Nelson Akwari, Josh Rife, Gregg Schroeder, Aaron Faro, Joe Kabwe, Jacob Coggins (Taurai Daka – 69’), Steve Shak, Chris Klotz (Ryan DiNunzio – 45’), Dan Harvey (Adam Ruud – 64’), Dustin Swinehart (Ross Spencer – 58’)
Shots Saves Fouls Corners
Eagles: 17 Eagles: 1 Eagles: 11 Eagles: 8
Kickers: 9 Kickers: 5 Kickers 9 Kickers: 4
Cautions:
33rd minute: Joe Kabwe (Charlotte)
90th minute: Nelson Akwari (Charlotte)
Ejections:
None.
Referee: Guy Goodrich
Assistant Referees: Mike Renner, Alex Addison
Fourth Official: Hagan Barnett
Attendance: 2323
First Market Bank Man of the Match: Matt Watson
Weather: Overcast, humid, 88º
