GAME SUMMARY
Saturday, April 18, 2009 University of Richmond Stadium
Richmond Kickers 2 (Fisher 23’, Oduor 43’)
Harrisburg City Islanders 2 (Delicâte 16’, Bulow 50’)
RICHMOND, VA – A regular season home opening crowd of 2,893 enjoyed an entertaining match on a beautiful spring evening that resulted in a 2-2 draw between USL-2 rivals Richmond Kickers and Harrisburg City Islanders Saturday night. The back-and-forth affair opened early when Kickers midfielder Mike Burke and forward Matthew Delicâte connected on the first goal of the night. Harrisburg answered back with a pair of goals before the end of the first half. Forward Steve Fisher leveled the score while Mo Oduor claimed the lead minutes before the break. An off-the-ball foul against the home team brought the teams even once again when Kickers forward David Bulow calmly converted the resulting penalty kick. The Kickers return to the University of Richmond Stadium for Scout Night next Saturday, April 25th. Kickoff is set for 7:00 pm. Tickets are on sale now via RichmondKickers.com.
The Kickers came out strong in the first half, dominating the opposition with several dangerous chances to start the night. Ten minutes into the match, Kickers defender Sascha Görres played a cross into the box, finding Delicâte in the air. His determined header forced Harrisburg goalkeeper Chase Harrison to leap for the save.
Not to be denied six minutes later, the Kickers found the target after Görres made a run down the left wing. Setting up a schoolbook combination, Görres sent a well-placed cross to the far post, allowing Burke to lay the ball off to an on-rushing Delicâte. The 6’3” forward volleyed the ball past the diving ‘keeper to give the Kickers the advantage.
Harrisburg retaliated in the 23rd minute after forward Steve Fisher intercepted a cross in the midfield. Carrying the ball into the box, Fisher coolly slipped a low shot on goal. Kickers goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale was able to get his fingertips on the ball but it ricocheted off the far post and back into the net.
Looking for the equalizer in the 29th minute, rookie defender Henry Kalungi sent a long ball into City Islanders territory. Harrison came out of the box and headed the ball straight to Kickers forward Joey Worthen. Knowing the goalkeeper was off his line, Worthen attempted to find the empty goal but instead his strike sailed skyward.
Four minutes later, the Kickers appeared to be in scoring position again when midfielder Luke Vercollone took a shot from 25 yards that rebounded into a crowded box. Defender Kelvin Jones ended up in a 1v1 position with the goalkeeper but before he could line up his shot, a defender rushed in to clear the ball from harm’s way.
Seconds after, Jones looked dangerous in the box again. This time, a quick restart on a free kick found Jones in the air but his header narrowly missed the near post.
As the halftime whistle approached, Harrisburg claimed the lead with a 43rd minute tally by the menacing Mo Oduor. The City Islanders floated a free kick into the box from midfield. Fisher flicked the ball to Oduor. With his back to goal, he chested the ball down, turned and fired just over Pascale’s outstretched hands.
Within five minutes of the second half restart, Harrisburg defender Tim Velton committed an off-the-ball foul inside the box. Although the ball had been collected by Harrison, it was still in play and a penalty kick was awarded to the home side. Bulow lined up the penalty in the 50th minute and calmly slid a low ball into the right corner to bring the scoreline even.
Soon after, Worthen played the ball to Görres who delivered a cross into the box from the left flank. Burke attempted a side volley but his chance deflected off of a defender for a Kickers corner kick.
Hoping to break the deadlock in the 71st minute, a long ball was played into the Kickers half. Fighting for the ball, Jones and Fisher collided in the box. With both defender and forward on the ground 10 yards out, Fisher was able to get a toe on the ball as Pascale sprung into action to punch the ball away. The resulting rebound was volleyed high over the crossbar by City Islanders midfielder Kai Kasiguran.
Harrisburg found their best chance of the second half when forward Brandon Swartzendruber was able to get behind the defense for a 1v1 with Pascale, five minutes after entering the match. The Kickers veteran goalkeeper was able to win the duel, deflecting the ball wide.
Just before the lights went out, Burke collected the ball on the right side and played it across to Vercollone. In a last second effort, he fired a rocket from 25 yards out but it whizzed over the crossbar.
The Kickers return to the University of Richmond Stadium next Saturday, April 25th when they host the Pittsburgh Riverhounds at 7:00 pm. The first 500 fans will receive a free voucher for go-karting and laser tag at G-Force Karts! Avoid lines at the gate and order tickets in advance via RichmondKickers.com. Calling all Scouts, next Saturday is Scout Night. Call 644-5425 x 304 to order discounted tickets.
Box Score First Half Second Half Final
Richmond 1 1 2
Harrisburg 2 0 2
Scoring Summary
16th minute: Richmond - Matthew Delicâte (Mike Burke)
23rd minute: Harrisburg – Steve Fisher
43rd minute: Harrisburg – Mo Oduor (Steve Fisher)
50th minute: Richmond – David Bulow (Penalty)
Lineups
Kickers: GK Ronnie Pascale, Sascha Görres (Yomby William – 85’), Henry Kalungi, Kelvin Jones, Luke Vercollone, Mike Burke, Gerson Dos Santos, David Bulow (Ben Hunter – 78’), Kenny Cutler, Joey Worthen (Adrian Bumbut – 72’), Matthew Delicâte
City Islanders: GK Chase Harrison, Geoff Bloes, Tim Velton, Dustin Bixler, Anthony Calvano, Nikki Peterson, Nate Baker (Kai Kasiguran – 24’), Mo Oduor (Jason Massie – 78’), David Schofield (Ty Shiplane – 63’), Steve Fisher, Chad Severs (Brandon Swartzendruber – 72’)
Shots Saves Fouls Corners
City Islanders: 6 City Islanders: 3 City Islanders: 13 City Islander: 3
Kickers: 5 Kickers: 1 Kickers: 8 Kickers: 6
Cautions:
48th minute – Tim Velton (Harrisburg)
56th minute – David Schofield (Harrisburg)
57th minute – Dustin Bixler (Harrisburg)
72nd minute – Anthony Calvano (Harrisburg)
89th minute – Adrian Bumbut (Richmond)
Ejections:
None.
Referee: Shaun Papperman
Assistant Referees: Robert Velbis, Mike Andrews
Fourth Official: Alex Addison
Attendance: 2,893
Weather: Warm, sunny, 76º
First Market Bank Man of the Match: Mike Burke
