GAME SUMMARY

Saturday, June 19, 2010          Skyline Sports Complex
Harrisburg City Islanders                            0
Richmond Kickers                                        1 (Delicâte 23) 

HARRISBURG, PA – The Richmond Kickers edged the Harrisburg City Islanders Saturday night by a narrow 1-0 margin at the Skyline Sports Complex.  Kickers goal-scoring legend, Matthew Delicâte registered his ninth goal of the season, 10th overall, when he connected on a well-placed cross by Mike Burke.  Kickers goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale posted four heroic saves to preserve the clean sheet.  The Kickers return to City Stadium next Tuesday, June 22nd to host the Real Maryland Monarchs in the U.S. Open Cup Second Round at 7:00 p.m.

The Kickers were fast on the attack, notching the lone goal of the night in the 23rd minute.  Burke gathered the ball in the midfield and delivered a perfectly placed cross to Delicâte at the far post.  Out jumping his defender, the big forward nodded the ball high into the far corner to give the visiting team the lead.

Harrisburg took possession of the ball for the majority of the half, trying to use the whole width of the field, as they attempted to level the score.  The City Islanders’ best chance of the half developed in the 41st minute when a nice combination on the right side ended with a cross into the box to J.T. Noone.  The midfielder chested the ball and volleyed it inches over the crossbar from seven yards out.

The second half began in the same fashion as the City Islanders searched furiously for the equalizer.  A lot of activity in front of the Kickers goal did not materialize as shots from distance and ill-timed headers were stifled by the Kickers defense.

It was not until the 68th minute that the City Islanders persistence looked dangerous.  A combination on the right side left Geoff Bloes through to goal where he shot from 16 yards out but the ball glanced inches from the far post. 

Minutes later, second half substitute Tishan Hanley struck from the right side but his rocket from the top of the box was flicked over the woodwork by Pascale.

In the final three minutes of regulation, the Kickers saw two close calls fall by the wayside.  First, in the 87th minute, a header back to the Harrisburg goalkeeper was too short, allowing Delicâte to gather the loose ball and leaving him alone to challenge Cepero.  He attempted to slot the ball past the charging ‘keeper but it sailed just wide of the target.

Then, with just seconds left on the clock, defender Evan Harding was left wide open on the right side of the box.  As Cepero came out to challenge him, he cut inside and laid the ball off to an onrushing Ross Mackenzie.  He fired from 15 yards out but defender Dustin Bixler cleared the ball off the line and deflected it over the crossbar.

The Richmond Kickers return home to take on the Real Maryland Monarchs next Tuesday, June 22nd in the U.S. Open Cup Second Round.  The momentous match-up is slated for 7:00 p.m. at Richmond City Stadium with the winner advancing to the Third Round to face D.C. United of Major League Soccer at George Mason Stadium one week later.  Regular admission prices will apply ($12/adults and $7/youth), but fans can purchase tickets for just $5.00 at the gate if they wear white to support the Kickers first-ever White Out.

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

Scoring Summary
23rd minute: Richmond: Matthew Delicâte (Mike Burke)

Lineups
City Islanders: GK Danny Cepero, Geoff Bloes, Dustin Bixler, Jerritt Thayer (Tishan Hanley – 80’), Anthony Calvano, Jason Pelletier, J.T. Noone, Nate Jafta (Anthony Di Biase – 45’), David Schofield, Jason Hotchkin (Ryan Zabinski – 68’), Dominic Oppong (Vince Petrasso – 64’)
Kickers: GK Ronnie Pascale, William Yomby, Henry Kalungi, Sascha Gõrres, David Hertel, Mike Burke (Evan Harding – 81’), Roger Bothe, Bobby Foglesong (Stephen Nsereko – 74’), Gerson dos Santos (Ross Mackenzie – 53’), Matthew Delicâte, Edson Elcock (Neil Barlow – 67’)

Shots                      Saves                    Fouls                       Corners
Kickers:  4               Kickers:           4     Kickers:           11     Kickers:               2
City Islanders: 11   City Islanders: 1    City Islanders:  8      City Islanders:    9

Cautions:
71st minute: Ryan Zabinski (Harrisburg)

Ejections:
N/A

Referee:    Stanford Nagle III
Assistant Referees:   Zachary Rubinich, John Barr
Fourth Official:    Michael Zdradzinski
Attendance:    1,713
Weather:    Sunny, 84º