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City Islanders Capture Critical Win

July 28, 2012 - USL PRO (USL PRO) Harrisburg City Islanders

HARRISBURG, Pa.- Amid slick conditions, the Harrisburg City Islanders struck twice in the second half to capture a crucial victory against fellow-playoff contender, the Los Angeles Blues, on Saturday night at Skyline Sports Complex.

A passing shower doused the pitch prior to the game and created tricky footing with which both sides had difficulty. Play was fast-paced from the beginning, with the Islanders quickly taking control, outshooting the Blues nine to one in the first half. A disciplined 4-5-1 formation and four saves from goalkeeper Jose Miranda kept the Blues even with Harrisburg for 53 minutes. But after Morgan Langley added to his team lead in shot attempts in the 54th, the game was no longer scoreless.

Langley found a ball that had trickled out to him just above the right of the penalty box. On the other side, Garret Pettis had lost the ball in a scuffle with his mark, and it took a fortuitous bounce to Langley. The second-year player took a touch, and blasted the second over Miranda to put the Islanders up a goal.

Thirteen minutes later, the Islanders struck again thanks to Langley. Stretched out wide to the right, he sent a crisp cross to a cutting Lucky Mkosana, whose header extended Harrisburg's lead to two.

Adrian LeRoy, who came on after Colin Zizzi left with a leg injury in the 24th, noted the importance of the win, one that comes at a critical time in the Islanders' season.

"During the game we pulled ourselves together and got the result we needed," he said. "It was pretty tough with the pitch; it was slick. But it just makes you be more conscious, especially defensively - make sure you have sturdy ground and try not to make as many mistakes."

The slippery field led to a number of sliding collisions and resulting cautions. Despite three Harrisburg players leaving with injuries, the Islanders managed to maintain their composure until they capitalized on Langley's goal and following assist.

The win puts Harrisburg at 8-5-6. The Islanders will host eventual USL PRO playoff one-seed Orlando on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

LeRoy said his side was excited to face the regular-season-title holders and avenge a loss to Orlando earlier in the season. "They [Orlando] beat us when we played them at their home field... and we need the points, so it will be a great game."

Los Angeles falls to 7-10-2 on the season. The Blues will end July and their road trip Tuesday when they face Pittsburgh at Chartiers Valley High School at 7 p.m.

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