GAME SUMMARY

Saturday, August 11, 2007  University of Richmond Stadium
Richmond Kickers  1 (Görres 16’)
Cleveland City Stars   1 (Moffat 28’)

RICHMOND, VA – The Richmond Kickers clinched the regular season title and a home semifinal berth with a 1-1 draw against Cleveland tonight.  A left-footed missile by midfielder Sascha Görres put the Kickers up in the 16th minute until City Stars midfielder Adam Moffat netted the equalizer in the 28th minute.  The #1 seed Kickers will host the #4 seed Charlotte Eagles in the single-game semifinal on Saturday, August 18th at 7:00 pm at the University of Richmond Stadium.

With few chances on either side of the pitch to open tonight’s match, the Kickers were the first to get on the scoreboard with a 16th minute tally.  A Richmond corner was awarded to be taken by midfielder Mike Burke.  His curling strike hurtled into the box but was cleared out by the City Stars defense.  Burke recovered the rebound and played it back to Görres, 25 yards out, who missiled a left-footed shot into the far upper 90. 

The City Stars looked to level the score in the 22nd minute when the ball was played deep into the right flank.  Nearing the end line, the ball was sent back to midfielder John DeVae at close range but his attempted volley was gathered by Kickers goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale.

Not to be denied a second time, the City Stars equalized in the 28th minute when midfielder Adam Moffat carried the ball down the left sideline.  A Kickers defensive breakdown left Moffat alone at the penalty spot, allowing him to slot the ball past the diving keeper’s outstretched hands into the lower right corner.

Three minutes later, the City Stars created another dangerous opportunity when midfielder John DeVae attempted a shot from point-blank range but Ronnie made the stop and then smothered the ball.  Soon after, Cleveland made their way into Kickers territory again, this time when forward Ian Leibbrant collected the ball at the top of the box, turned and struck but the bounding ball was collected by Pascale.

The defensive battle ensued until a 57th minute free kick was earned just outside the City Stars’ box.  Burke attempted a right-footed strike but it soared over the defensive wall and dipped just over the crossbar.

Richmond sought the game-winner just seconds later when defender Evan Harding carried the ball forward to forward Freddie Smith inside the box.  He attempted a muffled shot, stifled by defenders, which was redirected across the goalmouth.  Forward David Bulow was stationed at the far post with his back to the goal and attempted a back-heel flick but it nicked paint off the woodwork as it passed inches wide.

Burke looked dangerous again in the 72nd minute, this time teaming up with midfielder Matt Watson.  Exchanging possession, Burke crossed the ball to an onrushing Watson who played it back to Burke just inside the box but he lobbed the ball just over the target.

Cleveland retaliated three minutes later when forward Luke Williams pulled the trigger on a 20-yard blast but his attempt hammered the post and was recovered by Pascale.  Ten minutes later, midfielder Dana McGregor sent a looping shot to the far post but Pascale came off his line to collect the bobbling ball.

The score remained tied despite chances created by second-half substitutes Ricky Schramm and Nowaf Jaman, each placing the ball over the crossbar from the top of the box in the 87th and 90th minutes respectively.

The Kickers secured the #1 seed in the USL2 and their second consecutive USL2 regular season title with tonight’s 1-1 draw.  Richmond will play host to the #4 seed Charlotte Eagles in the single-elimination semifinal match to be held at the University of Richmond on Saturday, August 18th.   Meanwhile, the #2 seed Cleveland City Stars will host the #3 seed Harrisburg City Islanders.  The Championship will be held the following weekend, showcasing the two semifinal winners on Saturday, August 25th at a host site to be determined by a bid process. 

Box Score      First Half     Second Half       Final
Richmond             1                        0                    1
Cleveland             1                         0                   1

Scoring Summary
16th minute: Richmond: Sascha Görres (Mike Burke)
28th minute: Cleveland: Adam Moffat (Jack Cummings)

Lineups
 Kickers: GK Ronnie Pascale, Trevor McEachron, Kelvin Jones, Stephen Wolfe, Evan Harding, Sascha Görres, Freddie Smith (Ricky Scrhamm – 61’), Trey Alexander (Ralph Pace – 76’), Matt Watson, Mike Burke (Charlie Howe – 86’), David Bulow (Nowaf Jaman – 86’)
 City Stars: GK Caleb Patterson, Jack Cummings, Jeremy Tolleson, Mark Schulte, Anthony Stovall, Adam Moffat, Derek Potteiger, John DeVae (Chris Lemons – 76’), Dana McGregor, Ian Leibbrant (Spencer Lappin – 81’), Nigel Codrington (Luke Williams – 66’)

Shots               Saves                  Fouls                   Corners
City Stars: 13   City Stars:  2      City Stars: 19     City Stars: 2
Kickers:      7    Kickers:     7       Kickers     15      Kickers:  5

Cautions:
56th minute: Jack Cummings (Cleveland)
59th minute: Sascha Görres (Richmond)
84th minute: David Bulow (Richmond)
90th minute: Charlie Howe (Richmond)

Ejections:
None.

Referee:    Mark Turner
Assistant Referees:   Jeff Davis, Daniel Stead
Fourth Official:    Robert Velbis
Attendance:    2,288
First Market Bank Man of the Match:  Sascha Görres
Weather:    Warm, sunny, 85º