GAME SUMMARY

Saturday, July 29, 2009              Skyline Sports Complex
Harrisburg City Islanders     0
Richmond Kickers                 1 (Hunter 42’)
    
HARRISBURG, PA – The Richmond Kickers returned to a first-place tie with Wilmington in the USL-2 standings following a 1-0 win on the road against the Harrisburg City Islanders Wednesday night.  Midfielder Ben Hunter notched the lone goal of the match while goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale held the opposition with four saves to post his sixth shutout of the season.  The Kickers return to the University of Richmond Stadium this Saturday, August 1st to host Free Youth Night and the Real Maryland Monarchs at 7:00 p.m. 

A defensive clash led to few chances on either side of the field to open the match, as the two teams battled for first place in the USL-2 standings.  The City Islanders were the first to gain offensive momentum, nearly getting on the scoreboard in the 32nd minute.  Defender Geoff Bloes delivered an inswinger into the box, finding forward Steve Fisher eight yards from the target but his header fell straight to Pascale who was able to foil their attempt to take the lead.

Despite the close call, it was the Kickers who claimed the advantage before the end of the first half.  Defender Sascha Görres lined up a free kick, deep on the left side.  While the Harrisburg defense clustered inside the box, awaiting a header, Görres slyly played the ball back to a well-positioned Hunter at the top of the box.  Hunter one-timed the ball with his right foot, sending it through an unsuspecting crowd to find the upper 90 while goalkeeper Chase Harrison watched helplessly.

Soon after the second half restart, the City Islanders narrowly missed the equalizer.  Harrisburg released a free kick from the right side to the far side of the box.  With several players fighting to win the header, it was midfielder Mo Oduor who prevailed, stationed six yards out.  He nodded the ball on target but it took an unfortunate bounce in front of the goal that allowed Pascale to push the ball wide and out of harm’s way.

The Kickers picked up the pace minutes later and created a couple of dangerous chances.  First, midfielder David Bulow played a long ball from the back to an onrushing Matthew Delicâte.  The Kickers leading scorer unleashed a 20-yard rocket that was deflected by a City Islanders defender.  Then, in the 75th minute, Kickers midfielder Luke Vercollone played a cross from the left side to the second post, finding Joey Worthen in the air.  Worthen settled the ball and played it back to defender Kenny Cutler, positioned 15 yards out but his one-time volley was blocked by the Harrisburg defense.

As the final few minutes of regulation approached, Harrisburg increased the pressure and worked with long balls and headers in the box but the Kickers back line held strong to weather the attack and preserve the clean sheet.

The Richmond Kickers are pleased to host their annual Free Youth Night, courtesy of SCOR, Sports Center of Richmond, this Saturday, August 1st.  The Kickers are slated to face the Real Maryland Monarchs at 7:00 p.m. at UR Stadium and all kids ages 3-17 will be admitted free.  Click HERE to download free youth tickets via RichmondKickers.com.

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

Scoring Summary
42nd minute: Richmond - Ben Hunter (Sascha Görres)

Lineups
City Islanders: GK Chase Harrison, Geoff Bloes (Tino Nunez – 79’), Tim Velten, Dustin Bixler, Anthony Calvano (Cody Reinberg – 71’), Nate Baker, Jason Pelletier, Mo Oduor (Kai Kasiguran – 66’), Tiyi Shipalane, Steve Fisher (Brandon Swartzendruber – 71’), Chad Severs (David Schofield – 66’)
Kickers: GK Ronnie Pascale, Henry Kalungi, Yomby William, Kenny Cutler, Sascha Görres, Luke Vercollone, Gerson dos Santos, David Bulow, Ben Hunter (Mike Burke – 57’), Joey Worthen (Evan Harding – 81’), Matthew Delicâte (Kelvin Jones – 71’)

Shots                       Saves                         Fouls                          Corners
Kickers:             5     Kickers:              4       Kickers:              11    Kickers:             3 
City Islanders:  8     City Islanders:   4       City Islanders:   12     City Islanders:  3

Cautions:
41st minute: Dustin Bixler (Harrisburg)
55th minute: Ben Hunter (Richmond)
56th minute: Luke Vercollone (Richmond)
63rd minute: Joey Worthen (Richmond)
64th minute: Nate Baker (Harrisburg)

Ejections:
None.

Referee:    Edward Marco
Assistant Referees:   Stanford Nagle, Geoff Halberstadt
Fourth Official:    Adam Smeltz
Attendance:    1,191
Weather:    Rain, 80˚