Richmond, VA – The Richmond Kickers continue to lead the league after a 3-1 victory over the Minnesota Thunder, marking the Kickers head coach Leigh Cowlishaw’s 100th career win while at the helm.  A goal and an assist each by Richmond's Matthew Delicâte and Sascha Görres and the third goal in three games by midfielder Mike Burke have left the Kickers eight points ahead in the standings.  Minnesota midfielder Jeff Matteo scored on a free kick to level the score in the first half but the Thunder were not able to hold on to the tie and suffered their first loss of the season.

 

Richmond midfielder Sascha Görres opened the scoring in the 11th minute when a ball was played over the top of the Thunder defense.  Minnesota Thunder goalkeeper Joe Warren came charging out and Kickers forward Matthew Delicâte raced in to challenge, beating Warren but ended up deep on the wing.  As Warren scurried back to his goal, Delicate served a long cross to the back post for Gorres who one-timed a volley into the right side netting from 12 yards out. 

 

Minnesota midfielder Jeff Matteo tallied the equalizer and his first goal of the season in the 22nd minute after the referee ordered a free kick on a foul by Kickers defender Peter Luzak.  The foul took place just before the top of the penalty box and Matteo took the ensuing free kick, curling the ball into the upper left corner from 23 yards out. 
 
After the Thunder tied the match, 1-1, the two teams battled back and forth throughout the first half but were not able to create any serious scoring opportunities prior to halftime. 

 

Minnesota came on strong after the restart looking to break the tie in the 47th minute when forward Melvin Tarley sent a determined header on goal.  A leaping Richmond goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale was able to tip the ball away for the save. 

 

Soon after, Kickers midfielder Mike Burke recorded his third goal in three games in the 52nd minute to take the lead.  Delicate found the ball in the corner and played it back to Gorres at the top of the 18 yard line.  Gorres crossed the ball to the far side back to Burke who sent a diving header from six yards out into the back of the net. 

 

With one assist under his belt already tonight, Delicate clinched the victory for the Kickers in the 76th minute with his sixth goal of the season.  Richmond midfielder Joey Worthen played a ball into the box, which was received by a Minnesota defender.  A miscommunication in the box allowed Delicate to knock the ball into the back of the net for the Kickers third and final goal of the night.  Delicate continues to lead the league in scoring, now with 6 goals and 2 assists for 14 points. 

 

With 10 minutes remaining, Minnesota midfielder Nathan Knox had a series of long-distance chances.  His first attempt sailed just over the crossbar while the second skipped towards the near post but Pascale was able to smother the ball for the save. 

 

The Kickers hold on to first place in the USL First Division with a 7-1-1 record for 22 points and will return to the University of Richmond Stadium on Monday, May 30th to take on Southern rivals Charleston Battery at 4:00 p.m.

Box Score      First Half     Second Half  Final
Minnesota           1                     0              1
Richmond           1                      2              3

 

Scoring Summary
11th minute: Richmond – Sascha Gorres (Matthew Delicate)
22nd minute: Minnesota – Jeff Matteo (unassisted)
52nd minute: Michael Burke (Sascha Gorres)
76th minute: Matthew Delicate (unassisted)

Lineups
 Kickers: Ronnie Pascale (GK), Peter Luzak, Kevin Knight, Matt Bobo, Matt O’Toole, Richie Williams, Tim Brown, Chris Carrieri (McColm Cephas – 68th minute), Mike Burke (Joey Worthen – 68th minute), Sascha Gorres (Matt Pauls - 88th minute), Matthew Delicate
 
 Thunder: GK Joe Warren, Brett Branan, Chris Brunt, Mike Wilson, Freddy Juarez, Ray Alberts (Kevin Friedland – 73rd minute), Kiki Lara, Godfrey Tenoff (Nathan Knox – 73rd minute), Jeff Matteo (Chris Voremkamp – 61st minute), Melvin Tarley, John Menyongar (Aaron Paye – 61st minute)

 

Shots                           Saves                        Fouls                Corners
Thunder:  5                 Thunder: 3                 Thunder: 15      Thunder: 8 
Kickers:   11                Kickers:  3                  Kickers:  11       Kickers:  4

 

Cautions:
6th minute: Chris Carrieri (Richmond)
50th minute: Mike Wilson (Minnesota)
59th minute: Chris Brunt (Minnesota)

 

Ejections:
None.

 

Referee:   Andres Pfefferkorn
Assistant Referees:  Mark Turner, Chuck Watts
Fourth Official:   Scott Johnson
Attendance:   3,812
Weather:   Sunny, 70˚
First Market Bank Man of the Match: Sascha Gorres

 

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