Wilmington's Hertzog Named USL PRO Player of the Week
Published on July 3, 2012 under United Soccer League Championship (USL) News Release
TAMPA, Fla. - USL PRO announced its Team of the Week for week 13 of the 2012 season today, honoring Wilmington Hammerheads forward Corey Hertzog as Player of the Week after he recorded a pair of goals in his side's 4-2 victory against the Los Angeles Blues on Saturday night.
Hertzog, who joined the Hammerheads in late May on loan from the New York Red Bulls, has scored six goals in eight games since his arrival. On Saturday night, he combined with fellow Team of the Week selection Bryce Taylor to give the Hammerheads a 2-0 lead in the first six minutes, scoring the second goal off Taylor's assist. With the Hammerheads holding a 3-2 lead, Hertzog headed home Taylor's cross to seal the win and maintain the side's undefeated record at Legion Stadium.
A member of Major League Soccer's Generation adidas class in 2011, Hertzog had a standout career for the PDL's Reading United and Penn State University before joining the professional ranks as an MLS SuperDraft first-round selection last year. With limited playing time behind the likes of Thierry Henry and Kenny Cooper, currently second in MLS with nine goals, Hertzog has seized his opportunity in Wilmington. His presence has helped the Hammerheads score 14 goals in eight games since his arrival, with the team scoring two-or-more goals in half those contests.
Other players honored for their performances this week included the Charleston Battery duo of Andrew Dykstra and Colin Falvey, who both put in a pair of strong performances in the Battery's trip to Antigua. They were joined in the Team of the Week defense by Sterling Flunder, who helped stifle Orlando's potent attack until late in stoppage time in his first appearance as a center back, and the Harrisburg City Islanders' Andrew Marshall, who performed admirably in his side's 2-1 win against Rochester.
Marshall's teammate Jason Pelletier was also selected after a great two-way performance against the Rhinos, and he was joined by Antigua's Quinton Griffith, who had the assist on the Barracudas' game-winning goal against Charleston on Sunday night, and Dayton's Joel DeLass, who helped the Dutch Lions earn a point against Orlando.
Joining Hertzog in attack were Charlotte's Mauricio Salles, who scored a goal and proved consistently dangerous in the Eagles' 3-2 win against Los Angeles on Thursday night, and the Blues' Bright Dike, who was a bright spot in a tough weekend for the west-coast side, scoring two goals and adding an assist.
USL PRO Team of the Week
Pos Player Team Highlights
GK Andrew Dykstra Charleston Had a number of strong saves as Charleston conceded once in two games
D Sterling Flunder Pittsburgh In first start at center back, helped stifle potent Orlando attack
D Colin Falvey Charleston Consistently strong in the air, battled hard all weekend
D Andrew Marshall Harrisburg Helped settle City Islanders' defense in win at Rochester
M Quinton Griffith Antigua Winger had assist as Barracudas broke losing streak
M Bryce Taylor Wilmington Goal and two assists played big role in Hammerheads' victory
M Joel DeLass Dayton Had goal and distributed well in draw against Orlando
M Jason Pelletier Harrisburg Outstanding two-way performance keyed City Islanders' victory
F Mauricio Salles Charlotte Proved consistently dangerous, and had goal, in Eagles' win
F Corey Hertzog Wilmington Had a pair of goals as Hammerheads took victory against Blues
F Bright Dike Los Angeles Two goals and assist were shining moments in tough weekend
Honorable Mention - Antigua - Peter Byers; Charleston: JC Mack, Jose Cuevas; Charlotte: Christian Meza, Nate Thornton; Dayton: Akeem Priestley; Orlando: Kevin Molino; Pittsburgh: Darren Amoo, Matt Kassel; Rochester: J.C. Banks; Wilmington: Andriy Budnyy.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 3, 2012
- Kickers Edge Blues 1-0 - Richmond Kickers
- Wilmington's Hertzog Named USL PRO Player of the Week - USL
- Hammerheads Hold Press Conference to Announce Signing - Wilmington Hammerheads FC
- Riverhounds Begin Excruciating Schedule - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
