Benbow Keeps Islanders Undefeated at Skyline
July 4, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release
The Harrisburg City Islanders got a 1-0 win against the Wilmington Hammerheads on a late Cardel Benbow goal, which gave the Islanders their first victory in almost two months.
Benbow's speed and skill had been frustrating the Wilmington defense all night but he had just enough left to blow passed the defender after he received a ball from Jason Plumhoff on a breakout. He was in on the goalie alone and rifled a shot over the shoulder to put the Islanders up for good.
After controlling the pace of play for the majority of the game the Islanders were finally rewarded with a goal that keeps them undefeated at home and puts them right back into the playoff hunt.
The game started and it looked like the Islanders had the ball on a rope at times. They controlled the pace of play and very rarely surrendered possession. The defense held up against a Wilmington offense that has only scored 11 goals all season.
Benbow kept the pressure on early and often. His speed up the side kept giving the Hammerheads trouble. Benbow was swinging passes into the box and often finding Jankouskas or Plumhoff. The best chance for the Islanders came off of great Jankouskas header that was volleyed away by Andre Rawls. City kept the pressure on with two corners kicks that just missed the net.
Wilmington kept fouling the Islanders hard, which almost cost them late in the first half. Jankouskas was again making playing in the offensive end when he was fouled hard just a foot outside of the box. Plumhoff took the set piece but pushed it just wide or it would have been the opening score of the game.
In the second half both teams had trouble stringing together quality play to result in any real threats on goal.
Harrisburg took their one chance on goal and converted. Plumhoff sprung out of his own end with two Hammerheads and Benbow streaking with him. He pulled up to play a perfect ball to Benbow that pushed him out wide and gave him options for his City has had made a habit out of letting in late goals and tonight was almost no different. Wilmington's best chance happened right after the Islander goal. They made a play, which brought Nick Noble off his line. Luckily, Dante Leverock was able to get behind Noble to blast the ball off the line and save the win.
Harrisburg's next game will be back on the Island on Wednesday, July 8 for a rematch against the Charleston Battery at 7 p.m. Don't miss Armstrong Printing team photo giveaway, CPYSL Fall Champions Night and Happy Hour featuring Stoudts Scarlet Lady. For tickets and information visit www.cityislanders.com or call 717-441-GOAL (4625).
United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 4, 2015
- Blues Begin Road Stretch Sunday at Arizona United SC - Orange County SC
- Record Crowd Watches Louisville City Blank Richmond 3-0 - Louisville City FC
- Benbow Keeps Islanders Undefeated at Skyline - Penn FC
- Kickers Defeated 3-0 in Louisville - Richmond Kickers
- Late Goal from Kingsley Bryce Propels Saint Louis over Charlotte - Charlotte Independence
- Vincent Powers Hounds to Impressive Win - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- Saint Louis FC Pulls out 2-1 Road Victory over Independence - Saint Louis FC
- Benbow Keeps Islanders Undefeated at Skyline - Penn FC
- WFC2 Earn 3-1 Home Victory over S2 - Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2
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