Richmond, VA – (Thursday, June 5, 2008) – The Richmond Kickers Future fell to the PDL Piranhas hours before, 3-1. Hampton Roads took an early lead when McKenzie Plank opened fire in the 3rd minute and recorded the first goal of the night, unassisted. The Piranhas did not find the net again until the 57th minute when midfielder Robert Squeglia connected on a Kyle Hartley cross to put the visiting side up two-nil. The Future cut the margin with seven minutes until time when they were awarded a penalty kick resulting from a handball inside the box. Forward Andy McIntosh converted the kick from the spot but minutes later, Hartley struck again to close out the match with a tally in the final seconds of stoppage tie.
Meanwhile, the Richmond Kickers Destiny of the W-League captured their first win of the season with a 2-1 victory over the Hampton Roads Piranhas on Thursday night. Midfielder Emma Delves and forward Jess Varela notched a goal apiece on either side of the half. The Destiny held the two-goal lead until the 78th minute when midfielder Kimberly Francis knocked home the Piranhas only goal.
The Destiny opened scoring in the 25th minute when a long ball was played to the Piranhas back line. Defender Florence Omagbemi trapped the ball but Delves applied pressure and collected the rebound. She settled the ball and cracked a shot from 25 yards, to the left of the diving ‘keeper. Later, Varela connected on a Jen Woodie cross, beat the defenders and found the target soon after the second half restart. The Destiny held the lead for the next 25 minutes but gave up the clean sheet when ChiChi Nweke crossed the ball to Francis in dangerous territory. Francis eluded defenders and slipped one past Destiny goalkeeper Chantel Jones to cut the deficit to one goal. Despite out-shooting the Destiny 19-12, including an 11-3 first half onslaught, the W-League Piranhas were not able to sneak past the Destiny’s back line or Jones who posted 12 saves on the match.
The Richmond Kickers and Hampton Roads Piranhas recently reinstated the James River Cup, a local derby that existed between the Richmond Kickers pro team and the Hampton Roads/Virginia Beach Mariners (USL-1). For the first time in history, the 10th edition of the James River Cup will be determined between the Richmond Kickers and Hampton Roads Piranhas PDL and W-League teams, crowning a Club Champion. The Future and the PDL Piranhas battled to a 1-1 stalemate in Richmond on May 31st, leaving the competition tied after today’s doubleheader.
At stake is the James River Cup title, which is based on the total number of points at the end of all matches played between the two clubs. With three points awarded for a win and one point awarded for a tie, the winner of the James River Cup will be decided following the conclusion of the home and away matches between the Richmond Kickers Future (PDL) and the PDL Piranhas combined with the total number of points between the Richmond Kickers Destiny (W-League) and W-League Piranhas during the 2008 season.
The Richmond Kickers and Hampton Roads Piranhas are slated to meet once more, swapping home field advantage for a doubleheader on July 3rd in Hampton Roads. The PDL teams collide three times this season, while the W-League teams meet twice for a total of five games and 15 possible points.
