City Islanders Earn 2-0 Exhibition Win
May 14, 2005 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release
(Bel Air, Md) â The Harrisburg City Islanders rode an opportunistic offense and a solid defensive effort to a 2-0 victory over a team of Maryland College All-Stars in an exhibition match played at Harford Community College in Bel Air, Md., on Saturday afternoon.
Non-roster invitee Taffarie Laing (in approximately the 41st minute) and forward Henry Mensah (85th) scored for the City Islanders, who used the match as a tune-up for next Saturday's regular season home game against the Northern Virginia Royals (Skyline Sports Complex, 7:05 p.m.).
Despite several promising attacking flurries from both sides, it appeared as though the first half might end in a scoreless tie. But Laing, a four-year starter at Fairleigh Dickinson University (1999-2002), ended the scoring drought when he moved in from the right wing and launched a left-footed rocket from 20 yards out that eluded the reach of goalkeeper Zak Thompson (Towson).
The All-Star Team, under the direction of former pro Jim Cherneski, tested Harrisburg a handful of times before the day was over, as might be expected from a 16-man group that included the likes of Steve Fell (Towson, the MISL's Baltimore Blast), Derek McElligot, Matt Watson, and Mike Pennachia (UMBC), all highly regarded prospects.
But the City Islanders successfully nursed their 1-0 lead until Mensah cashed in the rebound of a Jimmy Stone effort with just under five minutes to play in the match, sealing the win.
Harrisburg's Dave Kern went the full 90 minutes in goal for the shutout. Thompson played the first half in goal for the All-Star Team, with Craig Salvati (Maryland) playing the second half.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 14, 2005
- Cincinnati Kings Remain Undefeated with Win Over New Hampshire - Cincinnati Kings
- City Islanders Earn 2-0 Exhibition Win - Penn FC
- Riverhounds FC postpone tonight's match - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
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