GAME SUMMARY
Saturday, June 20, 2009 Charlotte Christian School
Charlotte Eagles 2 (Herrera 38’, Own Goal 55’)
Richmond Kickers 2 (DiRaimondo 12’, Bumbut 15’)
CHARLOTTE, NC – The Richmond Kickers battled the Charlotte Eagles to a 2-2 draw on the road Saturday night. Drawing a foul in the box in the 12th minute, the Kickers took an early lead when John DiRaimondo converted the resulting penalty kick. Kickers midfielder Adrian Bumbut doubled the score three minutes later but Charlotte decreased the deficit before the end of the first half on a Jorge Herrera tally. Holding the advantage after the restart, the Kickers conceded an own goal to level the score in the 60th minute. Posting their fifth tie of the season, the Kickers head to Pittsburgh next weekend before retuning to UR Stadium on Saturday, July 4th.
The Kickers claimed the advantage in the 12th minute when the ball was played into the box, finding forward Matthew Delicate behind the defense. As he lined up a shot from 13 yards, an Eagles defender collided with him from behind, handing a penalty kick to the visiting team. D.C. United loan, DiRaimondo stepped up to the spot and buried the ball in the back of the net as Charlotte goalkeeper Stewart Ceus dove to his right.
Continuing the attack, the Kickers registered again three minutes later. Bumbut received the ball from Mike Burke on the left side. He eluded an Eagles defender, cut inside and took a hard, low shot to the near post, leaving Ceus with no option as he lunged for the ball.
With the Kickers up 2-0, Charlotte increased the pressure, gaining possession and attempting several long-range shots. The Eagles offensive efforts paid off in the 38th minute when Herrera collected the ball on the right wing. Cutting inside to the top corner of the box, he curled a determined left-footed shot to the far post as Kickers goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale dove but could not get a hand on the ball.
The Kickers nearly increased their lead in the 50th minute when defender Sascha Görres delivered a cross from the left side, finding Delicate eight yards out. The 6’3’ forward laid the ball off to second-half substitute Ross MacKenzie, wide open at the penalty spot. MacKenzie fired a shot to the lower corner but Ceus was able to make the save.
Ten minutes later, the Eagles found the equalizer with the help of a Kickers own goal. Herrera crossed the ball into the box from the left side. Kickers midfielder Gerson dos Santos attempted to clear the ball but a misfire caught a surprised Pascale off guard and the ball slipped through his legs and into the net.
The Eagles nearly broke the stalemate in the 71st minute when defender Steve Shak played a long ball over the top. An onrushing Dustin Swinehart beat the defense and attempted to challenge Pascale as he charged off his line. The forward and goalkeeper hit the ball at the same time, forcing the ball to bounce free in the penalty area but Kickers defender Yomby William cleared it from harm’s way.
The Kickers conclude a month-long road stand next weekend when they travel to the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on Friday, June 26th. They return to the University of Richmond Stadium one week later to host an Independence Day Celebration and the Charlotte Eagles on Saturday, July 4th. Festivities including a splash zone, inflatables, mascot competition and prizes for the most patriotic fan begin at 11:00 a.m. and kickoff is slated for 1:00 p.m. Click HERE to download a coupon for $4.00 admission and visit RichmondKickers.com for more information.
Box Score First Half Second Half Final
Charlotte 1 1 2
Richmond 2 0 2
Scoring Summary
12th minute: Richmond – John DiRaimondo (penalty)
15th minute: Richmond – Adrian Bumbut (Mike Burke)
38th minute: Charlotte – Jorge Herrera
60th minute: Charlotte – Own Goal
Lineups
Eagles: GK Stewart Ceus, Steve Shak, Brady Bryant (Chris Lemons – 45’), Chad Smith (Benjamin Johnson – 68’), Luke Williams, Patrick Daka (Thomas Woods – 71’), Jorge Herrera, Josh Rife, Darren Toby, Dustin Swinehart (Christopher Klotz – 83’) Diego Martins (Gustavo Bentos – 76’)
Kickers: GK Ronnie Pascale, Henry Kalungi, Yomby William, Sascha Gorres (Ben Hunter – 78’), Luke Vercollone, Gerson dos Santos, Joey Worthen (Kenny Cutler – 71’), Mike Burke (Ross MacKenzie – 45’), John DiRaimondo (Anthony Peters – 83’), Adrian Bumbut (Evan Harding – 78’), Matthew Delicate
Shots Saves Fouls Corners
Kickers: 11 Kickers: 5 Kickers: 7 Kickers: 3
Eagles: 17 Eagles: 5 Eagles: 10 Eagles: 3
Cautions:
12th minute: Brady Bryant (Charlotte)
90th minute: Luke Williams (Charlotte)
Ejections:
None.
Referee: Steve Montanino
Assistant Referees: Mark Kadlecik, Katherine Dziedzic
Fourth Official: Larry Williams
Attendance: 780
Weather: 91˚
