GAME SUMMARY

Saturday, May 24, 2008  University of Richmond Stadium
Richmond Kickers    1 (Nyazamba 65’)
Charlotte Eagles

RICHMOND, VA – The Richmond Kickers were able to avenge an earlier season loss to the unbeaten Charlotte Eagles with a 1-0 win in front of a crowd of 2,947 at the University of Richmond Stadium.  Forward Stanley Nyazamba broke the ice in the 65th minute and goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale posted five saves to preserve the shutout over the league-leading Eagles.

Both teams came out of the gate fighting, each getting off several quick chances in the first few minutes.  The Kickers were the first to put on the pressure when a poor Charlotte clearance was picked up by David Bulow in the 1st minute of play.  The forward played it to midfielder Mike Burke who could not get to the ball in time, and it was blocked by Charlotte defense. 

Fifteen minutes later, a scuffle in the box allowed Eagles midfielder Jeff Bilyk a pair of shots from 12 yards as the ball was played in and rebounded back out to him twice.  Finally, forward Dustin Swinehart fought for the ball at the penalty spot and attempted to poke it through but Kickers goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale was able to scoop up the ball for the save.

The 27th minute found Charlotte at the top of the box after just earning a dangerously-placed free kick.  Swinehart lined up the shot and fired over the defensive wall but Pascale made a leaping save to tip it against the crossbar.  From there, the ball bounced into risky territory but defender Trevor McEachron cleared it off the line.   

Later, Stanley Nyazamba eluded Charlotte defenders on the left side of the box, and crossed the ball in, finding Bulow in the air.  Bulow’s header ricocheted off the crossbar and came straight back down, narrowly missing the goal line, only to be cleared from harm’s way by Eagles goalkeeper Terry Boss.

Following the start of the second half, the Kickers earned a free kick in the 53rd minute, just inches from the 18 yard line.  Burke attempted the strike but it rebounded from the defensive wall and was cleared.  One minute later, Charlotte earned a free kick in almost an identical spot on the other side of the pitch.  Midfielder Jorge Herrera curled the ball around defenders, and around the far post. 

Richmond finally broke the ice in the 65th minute when an Eagles defender attempted to steal the ball on the left wing.  An unmarked Nyazamba gathered the loose ball, cut to the center and curled a left-footed shot from 20 yards out, into the far upper 90.

As the final minutes of the match drew near, Eagles defender Brady Bryant served the ball into the box from nearly 30 yards out.  Worteh Sampson attempted to lay it off from six yards but Pascale collected the ball to preserve the lead.  In a last minute effort to level the score, forward Darren Toby fired a strike from 18 yards out but his attempt sailed over the crossbar.

The Kickers return to the University of Richmond Stadium, next Saturday, May 31st to host the Free Youth Night with the Wilmington Hammerheads at 7:00 pm.  Download free youth tickets, courtesy of SCOR, Sports Center of Richmond via RichmondKickers.com.  The first 1,000 fans through the gate will receive a new 2008 Richmond Kickers team poster.  

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

Scoring Summary
65th minute: Stanley Nyazamba

Lineups
 Kickers: GK Ronnie Pascale, Trevor McEachron, Kelvin Jones, Anthony Catalano, Evan Harding, Luke Vercollone, Stanley Nyazamba, Mike Burke ((Ian Bennett – 75’ (Pat Viray – 89’)), Eliot Paschalis (Adam Chavez – 85’), Sascha Gorres, David Bulow (Adrian Bumbut – 85’)
 Eagles: GK Terry Boss, Josh Rife, Steve Shak, Brady Bryant, Alex Woods (Worteh Sampson – 73’), Jeff Bilyk (Patrick Daka – 59’), Jorge Herrera, Jonah Long, Dustin Swinehart, Joe Kabwe, Robert Ssejjemba (Derren Toby – 79’)

Shots   Saves   Fouls   Corners
Eagles:  10 Eagles:  2 Eagles:  14 Eagles:  7
Kickers:  7 Kickers:  5 Kickers  12 Kickers:  2

Cautions:
None.

Ejections:
None.
 
Referee:    Steven Taylor 
Assistant Referees:   Justin Kohrs, Wesley Howell
Fourth Official:    Chuck Watts
Attendance:    2,947
Weather:    Warm, 79º
First Market Bank Man of the Match: Stanley Nyazamba

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