USL Orange County SC

Blues' Dike Named to USL PRO Team of the Week

Published on July 6, 2012 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Orange County SC News Release


TAMPA, Fla. - Earlier this week, USL PRO announced its 13th Team of the Week for the 2012 season, honoring Wilmington Hammerheads forward Corey Hertzog as the top player after he recorded a brace in Saturday night's 4-2 win over the Blues, who saw striker Bright Dike selected for his two goals and one assist in the defeats to Wilmington and Charlotte. Dike has now scored six goals in nine matches since joining on loan from the Portland Timbers.

Player of the Week 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 honoree Bryce Taylor for a 2-0 lead over the Blues in the first six minutes, scoring the second goal off Taylor 's assist. With Wilmington leading 3-2, Hertzog headed home a Taylor cross to seal the win and help his side maintain its undefeated record at Legion Stadium.

Hertzog had a standout career with the PDL's Reading United and with Penn State University before making the jump to the 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 the opportunity in Wilmington . His presence has helped the Hammerheads score 14 goals in eight games since his arrival, with the team registering two or more goals in half of those contests.

Other players honored include the Charleston Battery duo of Andrew Dykstra and Colin Falvey, each of whom put in a pair of strong showings against Antigua . They are joined on the Team of the Week defense by Pittsburgh 's Sterling Flunder and Harrisburg 's Andrew Marshall. While Flunder helped stifle Orlando 's potent attack until late in stoppage time in his first appearance as a center back, Marshall performed admirably in the City Islanders' 2-1 win over Rochester .

Marshall 's teammate Jason Pelletier was selected after a great two-way performance against the Rhinos, and also honored was Antigua 's Quinton Griffith, who had the assist on the Barracudas' game-winning goal against Charleston on Sunday night. Dayton 's Joel DeLass earned a spot on the Team of the Week after a strong showing in the Dutch Lions' draw with Orlando .

Hertzog and Dike are joined up top by Charlotte 's Mauricio Salles, who scored a goal and proved consistently dangerous in the Eagles' 3-2 win over the Blues on Thursday.

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 Helped stifle potent Orlando attack in first start as center back

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 with Orlando

M Jason Pelletier Harrisburg Outstanding two-way performance keyed City Islanders' victory

F Mauricio Salles Charlotte Proved consistently dangerous and had a goal in Eagles' win

F Corey Hertzog Wilmington Had a pair of goals as Hammerheads took victory against Blues

F Bright Dike Blues 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.

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 6, 2012


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