GAME SUMMARY

Saturday, August 4, 2007  University of Richmond Stadium
Richmond Kickers              2 (Jaman 14, Schramm 45)
Western Mass Pioneers   0

RICHMOND, VA – The Richmond Kickers (12-3-4, 40 points) re-claimed the first place position in the USL2 standings with a 2-0 win over the Western Mass Pioneers (5-7-6, 21 points) on a steamy summer night in Richmond.  A 14th minute tally by Nowaf Jaman gave the Kickers an early lead.  Soon after Western Mass midfielder Anthony Augustine was ejected in the 37th minute, forward Ricky Schramm connected on an Evan Harding cross to close out the first half, doubling the score.   

The Kickers opened scoring in the 14th minute after midfielder Sascha Görres lined up a corner kick on the left side.  His out-swinger ricocheted off of a heavily-defended David Bulow with the rebound falling to Jaman in the penalty area.  Jaman finished with a right-footed volley into the lower right corner of the net.

The Pioneers retaliated three minutes later when Bulow attempted to slide the ball wide left to Jaman.  His pass was intercepted by Augustine who turned and shot on target but Kickers goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale pushed the ball wide right.  Later, in the 22nd minute, midfielder Everson Maciel set up a free kick, just outside the box but his attempt dipped over the defensive wall and was nabbed by Pascale.

Five minutes later, Görres fired a laser from 20 yards but drew a foul at the top of the box.  Lining up the subsequent free kick, his left-footer was stifled by Pioneers defenders.  

Western Mass went a man down in the 37th minute when Augustine was issued his second caution of the night. This time for dissent, he was sent off begrudgingly, forcing the Pioneers to battle with 10 men for the remainder of the match.

The score was doubled just before the halftime whistle when a series of short passes moved the ball into Pioneers territory, making its way to Harding, deep on the right flank.  Harding curled a right-footed cross into the box, finding a well-positioned Schramm at the six-yard spot.  His diving header hit the mark as it sailed into the back of the net to close out the first half.

Few scoring opportunities came to fruition on either side of the pitch upon the second-half restart, with the first attempt occurring in the 62nd minute.  Defender Fabien Lewis made his way deep into the right wing and fired a missile on goal, forcing Pascale to make a leaping save. 

Later, Kickers forward Robert Ssejjemba played the ball across to an on-rushing Schramm, who gave the last defender chase, in attempt to win the ball.  Settling it at the top of the box, he attempted to chip the ball over the defender and the goalkeeper but it bounced inches wide of the open net in the 74th minute.  Two minutes later, Jaman fed the ball to defender Ralph Pace who entered play less than 10 minutes earlier.  Pace one-timed the ball at the top of the box, hammering the shot off the right post.

The Pioneers attempted one final push for the score in the 84th minute when Lewis collected the ball on the right flank and crossed it to the far left side, falling to Maciel.  Maciel eluded defenders and carried the ball back to the top of the box, but his effort was heavily guarded and slid just inches past the upright.

The Richmond Kickers will look to lock in a home playoff semifinal during the last regular season home game featuring the Cleveland City Stars on Saturday, August 11th at 7:00pm.  Proud to host “Gifts For Gulu Night” at the University of Richmond Stadium, the Kickers team up with the City Stars, Sports Outreach Institute and Spring Run Presbyterian to benefit the children of Gulu, Northern Uganda.  Donate new and gently used clothing and sports equipment and purchase $5.00 tickets at the gate.  Download a registration form via RichmondKickers.com for a free youth clinic (ages 8-12) to be held on the field prior to the match.
 

Box Score      First Half     Second Half      Final
Richmond              2                        0                 2 
Western Mass      0                         0                 0

Scoring Summary
14th minute: Richmond – Nowaf Jaman (David Bulow)
45th minute: Richmond – Ricky Schramm (Evan Harding)

Lineups
 Kickers: GK Ronnie Pascale, Trevor McEachron, Kelvin Jones, Stephen Wolfe, Evan Harding, Sascha Görres (Charlie Howe – 45’), Freddie Smith (Robert Ssejjemba – 60’), Trey Alexander, Ricky Schramm, Nowaf Jaman (Kevin Edwards – 85’), David Bulow (Ralph Pace – 67’)
 Pioneers: GK Kevin Trapp, Chris Riley, Fabien Lewis, Patricio Tagle, Jay Willis, Anthony Augustine, Federico Molinari, Easton Wilson, Everson Maciel, Kevin McMenamin (Omar McFarlane – 58’), Jeff Deren

Shots             Saves                 Fouls                       Corners
Pioneers: 5    Pioneers: 4      Pioneers: 16          Pioneers: 2
Kickers:  14    Kickers:    3      Kickers:    17          Kickers:  4

Cautions:
10th minute: Kevin McMenamin (Western Mass)
30th minute: Anthony Augustine (Western Mass)
32nd minute: Easton Wilson (Western Mass)
37th minute: Anthony Augustine (Western Mass)
87th minute: Federico Molinari (Western Mass)

Ejections:
37th minute: Anthony Augustine (Western Mass)

Referee:    Paul Denton
Assistant Referees:   Robert Velbis, Andrew Chapin
Fourth Official:    Brian Starling
Attendance:    2,636
First Market Bank Man of the Match:  Kelvin Jones
Weather:    Hot, humid, 99º