The Kickers Elite teams ventured west for a three-hour road trip to Roanoke on Sunday. The Kickers looked to produce another positive performance and the elite teams did not disappoint as the club finished with a record of 9 wins, 2 ties and 5 losses on the day. Next week, the Strikers visit Ukrop Park for the final game of the Fall VCCL season.
News
ACADEMY WINS TWO VERSUS CLEARWATER
It was a fantastic weekend for the Kickers Academy teams. After struggling on the road, both teams were thankful to return to the familiar surroundings of Ukrop Park. Due to the incessant rain, it was decided the games should be played on Ukrop Park’s 120 x 76 Sportexe synthetic surface.
The U16’s produced a strong performance creating numerous opportunities in the first half. Fracassa, Carrabotta and Lurie all went close. Carrabotta’s persistance showed off as he scored two second half goals to lead the U16’s to a deserved 2-0 victory.
The U18’s also started very strongly, producing several fast-break attacks that ripped through the Clearwater defense. Foglesong struck the crossbar from close range but made amends moments later by scoring the go ahead goal. Henry added the second goal for a Kickers lead of 2-0 at the half. Clearwater played much better in the second half scoring midway through the period and were unfortunate not to score again until late in the match. The U18’s missed several more chances themselves and held on for a 2-1 win.
U15's ADVANCE TO STATE CUP QUARTERFINAL
The U15 Elite Boys are one game away from reaching the VYSA State Cup Final Four for the third consecutive year. A strong showing on Saturday produced a well deserved 3-0 victory over local club FC Richmond. Goals from Lane Cashin, Alex Waite and Finno Wyatt made the difference. The U15’s will now take on Arlington next weekend at Ukrop Park for a place in the Final Four.
TWO TEAMS HEAD TO FINAL FOUR
The U15 Boys eased through to the VYSA Final Four with a comfortable 4-0 victory over Arlington. Adam Warren scored a first half hat-trick with Alec Rich adding the fourth goal. The U15 Girls had a much tougher affair as they played host to WAGS Division One leader McLean. The match was played in tricky conditions with the game being decided by a wonder strike from Christina Corbin that ricocheted off the underside off the crossbar and into the net. The team defended well to preserve the 1-0 lead and booked their place in the Final Four. The Final Four Games will be held next weekend at West Creek Soccer Complex. The U15 Girls will play on Saturday versus CYA Firecats at 9am and the U15 Boys seek revenge over the Reston Knights FC at 3pm. Both Kickers semi finals will be played on Field #8.
KICKERS DEFEAT STRIKERS IN VCCL
The Richmond Kickers Elite teams concluded their VCCL season with an exceptional performance recording 11 wins and 5 losses against local club Richmond Strikers. Ukrop Park was once again in wonderful playing condition as the two rivals battled for the VCCL Club Championship. There were some great individual matches and many games were decided by the odd goal. The Kickers must now wait on other league games before knowing if they have done enough to be crowned Champions.
USL-2 CHAMPIONS!
GAME SUMMARY
Saturday, August 29, 2009 University of Richmond Stadium
Richmond Kickers 3 (Elcock 63’, DiRaimondo 83’, Bulow 86’)
Charlotte Eagles 1
RICHMOND, VA – The Richmond Kickers claimed the 2009 USL Second Division Championship Saturday night with a dramatic 3-1 win over the Charlotte Eagles. Conceding an early goal, the Kickers were forced to play catch up through the first half when Eagles midfielder Diego Martins struck first in the 14th minute. Kickers newcomer Edson Elcock tallied the equalizer in the 63rd minute before a pair of back-to-back goals sealed the title win. Kickers forward David Bulow garnered the USL Second Division Championship Most Valuable Player award after adding a goal and an assist to the scoreline.
The Eagles took an early lead when Martins broke free and found himself all alone with Kickers goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale. Gathering a well-placed ball played over the top by midfielder Darren Toby, Martins lined up a right footed shoot and found the back left side of the net to give the Eagles the advantage.
A hard-fought battle saw several good changes on both sides of the field but the Kickers could not find the equalizer until after the second half restart. Game MVP Bulow played the ball across the penalty area and found Elcock at the far post. The recent addition to the Kickers lineup headed the ball home from point blank range.
The Kickers took the lead 20 minutes later when D.C. United loan John DiRaimondo delivered a free kick from just outside the left side of the penalty area. Bending a shot around the defensive wall, his shot brushed the head of an Eagle defender as it sailed into the target.
With just five minutes remaining in regulation, the Kickers padded the scoreline when Bulow was awarded a penalty kick. Taken down inside the box by Eagles goalkeeper Steward Ceus, Bulow lined up the resultant kick to face the 6’6” goalkeeper from the penalty spot. The ‘keeper guessed right but Bulow calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net.
The Kickers earned their third USL Championship title (fourth overall) and second in four seasons.
Box Score First Half Second Half Final
Richmond 0 3 3
Charlotte 1 0 1
Scoring Summary
14th minute: Charlotte – Diego Martins (Darren Toby)
63rd minute: Richmond – Edson Elcock (David Bulow)
83rd minute: Richmond – John DiRaimondo
86th minute: Richmond – David Bulow (penalty)
Lineups
Kickers: GK Ronnie Pascale, Yomby William, Henry Kalungi, Kenny Cutler (Evan Harding – 83’), Sascha Görres, Luke Vercollone, Gerson dos Santos (John Diramando – 45’), Edson Elcock (Ross Mackenzie – 90’), Mike Burke (Ben Hunter – 80’), Matthew Delicâte, Joey Worthen (David Bulow – 45’)
Eagles: GK Steward Cevs, Josh Rife, Jo Connor ( Jacob Coggins – 87’), Chad Smith (Ben Johnson – 57’), Luke Williams, Diego Martins, Amaury Nunes (Chris Lemons – 62’), Jorge Herrera, Darren Toby, Dustin Swinehart (Taurai Daka – 76’), Ben Page (Gustavo Bentos – 62’)
Shots Saves Fouls Corners
Eagles: 11 Eagles: 8 Eagles: 12 Eagles: 3
Kickers: 15 Kickers: 5 Kickers: 10 Kickers: 6
Cautions:
41st minute: Amaury Nunes (Charlotte)
46th minute: Luke Williams (Charlotte)
85th minute: Steward Cevs (Charlotte)
Ejections:
None.
Referee: Tony Russo
Assistant Referees: Kai Goodrich, Mark Gorak
Fourth Official: Shaun Papperman
Attendance: 2,998
Weather: Clear, hot, humid
First Market Bank Man of the Match: David Bulow
VCCL CHAMPIONS!
RICHMOND, VA – (Wednesday, June 10, 2009) – The Richmond Kickers Youth Soccer Club U-11 through U-14 Elite Teams were recently awarded the VCCL Club Champions title for the Spring 2009 season. The Championship came down to the wire as the Kickers fought off a strong challenge from SOCA to reclaim the title. The Kickers claimed the Girls and Club titles while the U-14 Boys, U-12 Girls, U-13 Girls and U-14 Girls were Divisional Champions. For more information, check out the final standings. Congratulations Teams!
Founded in 1997, the VCCL is an original and innovative organization of professionally run soccer clubs that is committed to excellence in developing the game of soccer. Demonstrating a creative and advanced approach to league organization and management, the VCCL features unique and coordinated scheduling between clubs, competitive play for both boys and girls teams aged 11-19, a Board of Directors comprised of Directors of Coaching from each club, select teams representing the league in prestigious tournament play, and a highly visible and productive college showcase. Visit www.vcclsoccer.com for more information.
CONGRATS TO U-14 GIRLS ELITE
Congratulations to the Kickers U-14 Girls Elite who finished as State Cup Finalists in Williamsburg last weekend. The girls advanced to the Finals after a 2-1 overtime victory over the NVSC Jr. Majestics on Saturday. The Kickers narrowly missed taking the State Cup title, dropping a hard-fought 2-0 decision to the VSA Heat Blue on Sunday.
U-13 GIRLS ELITE BRING HOME STATE CUP
The Richmond Kickers U-13 Girls Elite brought home the club’s first girls eleven-a-side State Cup Championship after defeating Braddock Road in the finals yesterday 3-1 in Williamsburg. After defeating the defending state and regional champion, the Northern Virginia Majestics, in the semifinals, the Kickers used another solid defensive effort to bring home the Cup. Coach Rob Ukrop said “The girls believed that through teamwork and trust, they could win State Cup. Our mantra was ’We Believe!’ While I am thrilled that they are now State Champions, I am most pleased with their development as young ladies who care about each other and our community.” The team will now represent Virginia at Regional Championships in West Virginia in July.
MARCH MADNESS FOR KICKERS TEAMS
Between the teams in the Jefferson Cup (Girl’s weekend), and the SASA St. Patrick’s Day Tournament, the Kickers sent a total of eight teams to Championship matches! Congratulations to the U-13 Girls Elite for their stellar win in the Jefferson Cup, along with the U-12 Boys North team and the U-18 Boys North team for their wins at the St .Patrick’s Day tournament. Honorable mention for a stong second place finish goes to the U-11 Girls Elite, and U-12 Girls Elite in their championship matches in the Jefferson Cup and the U-13 Boys North Bayern, U-16 Boys South, and the U-16 Girls Central Red for their second place finishes at the St. Patrick’s Day Tournament.
