City Islanders in Control Against Long Island
Published on June 18, 2004 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release
Harrisburg, PA â The Harrisburg City Islanders received goals from three different players and a capable performance from goalkeeper Chris Doyle on their way to a 3-0 win over the Long Island Rough Riders in front of 1,083 fans at Skyline Sports Complex on Friday. Harrisburg improves to 4-3-2 (14 points) with the win.
Though Long Island outshot Harrisburg 17-14, the Islanders controlled play for lengthy stretches in one of their more complete showings of the season. The first half produced few scoring opportunities as the teams felt each other out, but Harrisburg took a 1-0 lead into the locker room thanks to a superb Matt Tanzini score in the 31st minute. From a set piece roughly 30 yards out, slightly to the left of goal, Tanzini's heavy ball glanced off the Rough Riders wall and nestled into the upper right corner of the net, beyond the reach of losing keeper Daniel Sirota (four saves). It was Tanzini's second goal â and second game-winner â of the season.
The Islanders pushed the pace as the second half opened, applying consistent pressure with their forward rushes â but it was the Rough Riders who created the first true scoring chance of the half. In the 49th minute, Darrell Etienne's blast from 15 yards out in the penalty area was brilliantly parried by Doyle (acquired on loan from the Charleston Battery late this week). Doyle finished with six saves in the match, including an inspired fingertip save on a high Colin Marshall attempt in the 81st minute to preserve his shutout (the second in team history).
Harrisburg had by that time effectively salted away the victory thanks to a pair of scores. In the 58th minute, Derek Potteiger deftly chipped the ball over a stationary defense into the path of striker Seamus Donnelly, who walked into the area, worked around Sirota, and applied an authoritative finish with his right foot.
Just five minutes later, Andy Guastaferro (signed by the club this week) put the Islanders up 3-0 when he gathered Mike Henning's long feed, dribbled away from several defenders and Sirota to the left of the area, and softly chipped the ball inside the far post.
Notes: Harrisburg hits the road on Saturday, June 19, to face the Reading Rage. Kickoff at Shirk Stadium on the campus of Albright College is 7:30 p.m.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from June 18, 2004
- City Islanders in Control Against Long Island - Penn FC
- Long Island stranded by Islanders 3-0 - Long Island Rough Riders
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