KICKERS SILENCE 'HOUNDS WITH 2-0 WIN
Continue Road Stand Saturday, June 20th in Charlotte
GAME SUMMARY
Sunday, June 14, 2009 Chartiers Valley Stadium
Pittsburgh Riverhonds 0
Richmond Kickers 2 (Delicâte 45’, DiRaimondo 71’)
PITTSBURGH, PA – The Richmond Kickers picked up three points on the road with a 2-0 win against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds Sunday. Forward Matthew Delicâte connected on a Sascha Görres feed to give the Kickers the lead seconds before the end of the first half. On loan from D.C. United, midfielder John DiRaimondo sealed the victory with a 71st minute tally courtesy of Luke Vercollone. With five saves on the night, goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale held the opposition scoreless, posting his fourth shutout of the season. The Kickers continue their road stand next weekend in Charlotte, facing the Eagles on Saturday, June 20th at 7:00 p.m.
The Riverhounds narrowly missed the chance to open scoring in the 25th minute when midfielder Jason Kutney delivered a well-placed cross to forward Randolph Jerome positioned six yards from the target. Jerome’s close range header seemed destined to break the ice but instead it glanced just wide.
Seven minutes later, the Kickers looked dangerous when midfielder Ben Hunter eluded a Pittsburgh defender on the left flank. As he rushed into the box, he curled a right-footed shot to the far post but goalkeeper Danny Waltman was able to make the block and the Kickers could not capitalize on the rebound.
There was nothing Waltman could do in the 45th minute when Kickers defender Henry Kalungi fed the ball to Görres at midfield. The German turned and carried the ball down the field, playing the ball through the defense to an onrushing Delicâte at the right edge of the box. Delicâte fired a rocket but Waltman could not stop the momentum as it found the back of the net.
Twenty minutes into the second half, the Kickers doubled the score on a set play when they took advantage of a free kick earned 22 yards out. Görres played a short pass to Vercollone at the top of the box, allowing him to set up DiRaimondo 1v1 with the Riverhounds goalkeeper. The D.C. United midfielder unleashed a shot towards the upper 90 that left Waltman helpless and put the visiting team up 2-0.
Later, the Riverhounds created their best opportunity of the night when Jerome collected the ball at the top of the box with just two minutes remaining in regulation. The forward fired a powerful strike, forcing a leaping Pascale to touch the ball over the crossbar.
As the final seconds of stoppage time came to a close, Kickers midfielder Adrian Bumbut nearly added to the scoreline. On a counterattack, Delicâte played the ball into the box, finding an open Bumbut 16 yards out but his attempt sailed inches wide.
The Kickers continue their five-game road stand next weekend when they face the Charlotte Eagles on Saturday, June 20th. They travel back to Pittsburgh on June 26th before returning to the University of Richmond Stadium to host the Charlotte Eagles on Saturday, July 4th at 1:00 p.m.
Box Score First Half Second Half Final
Pittsburgh 0 0 0
Richmond 1 1 2
Scoring Summary
45th minute: Richmond – Matthew Delicâte (Sascha Görres)
71st minute: Richmond – John DiRaimondo (Luke Vercollone)
Lineups
Riverhounds: GK Danny Waltman, Nathan Salsi, Ed Hayden, Cody Bragg (Joe Zewe – 63’), Tenywa Bonseu (Allen Brown – 45’), Niko Katic, Justin Evans, Tony Lubudovski, Jason Kutney, Tommy Gray, Randolph Jerome (Sean Bucknor – 74’)
Kickers: GK Ronnie Pascale, Yomby William, Kelvin Jones, Sascha Görres, Henry Kalungi, Anthony Peters, Luke Vercollone (Kenny Cutler – 87’), Ben Hunter (Evan Harding – 63’), John DiRaimondo (Adrian Bumbut – 80’), Matthew Delicâte, David Bulow (Gerson dos Santos – 63’)
Shots Saves Fouls Corners
Kickers: 12 Kickers: 5 Kickers: 10 Kickers: 3
Riverhounds: 14 Riverhounds: 5 Riverhounds: 9 Riverhounds: 7
Cautions:
56th minute – Henry Kalungi (Richmond)
Ejections:
None.
Referee: Dino Sorbara
Assistant Referees: David Potter, Joseph Martin
Fourth Official: John Groff
Attendance: 1,289
Weather: Sunny, 77˚
