RICHMOND, VA – (Sunday, July 13, 2008) – The Richmond Kickers Future of the Premier Development League (PDL) battled the division-leading Reading Rage to a 1-1 draw on Sunday afternoon to conclude the 2008 home regular season. The Future rallied back from a one goal deficit to tie the game in the final seconds of stoppage time. Meanwhile, the Richmond Kickers Destiny (W-League) continue a three-game win streak, capping off the doubleheader with a 3-2 win over the Carolina Dynamo.
The first leg of the doubleheader began with a lack of offensive pressure in the first half, with just three shots each for the Future and the Rage. Kickers forward Andy McIntosh had a near miss early in the half, receiving a cross inches from the target but he sent the ball just over the crossbar. The second half restart saw another close call with a Dirk Dittrich header cleared off the line by defender Marcus Cabralis. Soon after, in the 59th minute, Rage defender Dane Hodge unleashed a powerful strike from 30 yards that was stopped by the crossbar.
The Future saw two goals disallowed due to collisions with the goalkeeper, with the second coming in the 61st minute. McIntosh swung the ball into the box, finding midfielder Scott Robertson who laid it off to Rosenbaum at close range. Rosenbaum challenged goalkeeper John Nydell and got a head on the ball but his contact with the goalkeeper resulted in a foul.
It was the Rage who took the lead in the 72nd minute when forward Pat Stanco finally found the back of the net after looking dangerous with six shots on the day. A controversial call on the right side of the field preceded a quick restart, which allowed midfielder Adam Gazda to play the ball to Stanco at point-blank range. Stanco poked the ball past goalkeeper Connor Quinn to put the division leaders up 1-0.
The Future continued to push forward, narrowly out-shooting the Rage, 7-6, during the second half. The home side leveled the score in the final seconds of stoppage time when newcomer Patrick Innes crossed the ball from the right side to an on-rushing Stephen Laws. Laws eluded defenders and slid the ball past the goalkeeper and into the open net seconds before the final whistle.
Meanwhile, the Destiny improved their record to 5-7-0 after this weekend’s pair of victories. After edging the West Virginia Illusion 1-0 on the road on Friday, the Destiny sealed a 3-2 win over the Carolina Dynamo. Forward Jess Varela led the attack, notching two goals and adding an assist on a Kristin Stannard tally. Carolina midfielder Hailey Beam converted a penalty kick while Nikki Dumencich recorded a late goal with three minutes to spare.
Varela opened scoring in the 25th minute when Jess O’Dwyer played her the ball from midfield. Varela beat the Carolina defenders and ripped a shot from 12 yards into the back of the net.
The score was leveled in the 50th minute when Destiny defender Sarah Hilt fouled a Dynamo player inside the box, resulting in a penalty kick in favor of Carolina. Beam lined up the ball from the spot and with a short stutter-step buried the ball into the right corner, as goalkeeper Chantel Jones guessed left.
The Destiny regained the lead eight minutes later when an indirect free kick was granted, inches from the penalty spot. Varela touched the ball to Stannard who fired a low and determined shot into the back left corner. Soon after, Varela extended Richmond’s lead when she notched her third goal of the weekend in the 68th minute. The ball was played up to an open Claire Zimmeck on the left wing but her shot was stopped by a diving Dynamo goalkeeper Lauren Brown. Varela was not to be denied; however, as the rebound fell to her inches from the goal line and she coolly tapped it into the net.
With three minutes remaining in regulation, the Dynamo reduced the margin when midfielder Ashley Rex connected with forward Nikki Dumencich. A scuffle inside the box allowed Dumencich to come out on top, slipping the ball past an outstretched Jones.
The Destiny play one more game at home when they host the Bradenton Athletics this Saturday, July 19th at 3:00 pm. The women’s game serves as the first leg of a doubleheader with the Richmond Kickers pro team at the University of Richmond Stadium. Both the Future and the Destiny conclude the 2008 regular season on the road this weekend. The Future take on the Northern Virginia Royals on Friday, July 18th while the Destiny are slated to face the Carolina RailHawks on Sunday, July 20th.
