City Islanders Roll to First Win of Season
June 3, 2006 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release
(Harrisburg, PA) - The Harrisburg City Islanders (1-3-2, 5 points) earned their first win of the season in decisive fashion on Saturday night, blanking the Long Island Rough Riders (0-4-1, 1 point) 3-0 in front of a crowd of 2,046 at Skyline Sports Complex. David McClellan, a rookie out of Messiah College, registered a goal and an assist, while Matt Tanzini and Jamel Mitchell added scores for Harrisburg. Sam Bishop made three saves en route to his second straight shutout in goal.
McClellan bagged his second goal of the year in the 17th minute. Sumed Ibrahim surged forward on the dribble before neatly slipping the ball through Long Island's backline to McClellan, who corralled it near the top of the penalty area before chipping with his left foot over losing goalkeeper Michael Behonick.
Behonick, acquired by Long Island on loan from MLS' New York Red Bulls, is a familiar face to City Islanders fans: he played seven games for Harrisburg in 2004 while on loan from the Charleston Battery (USL-1).
Just eight minutes later, Tanzini ripped a free kick from 30 yards out straight on. The ball sailed past the Rough Riders' wall and knuckled on Behonick, who was unable to keep it from squirming past him at the left post. Harrisburg led 2-0.
Long Island saw two quality chances go by the wayside shortly thereafter: Douglas Narvaez sent a half-volley high from the goalmouth in the 31st minute, and Bishop stood strong to smother a close Chris Megaloutis effort in the 34th minute.
Behonick was tested in the 35th minute and pushed a Derek Potteiger header wide, but he could do little to prevent Harrisburg's third score at the 37-minute mark. Sumed worked the ball loose from a Long Island defender on the right side of the box and sent it to the middle for McClellan. McClellan turned and laid the ball off for a rushing Mitchell, and the veteran point producer hammered a left-footed shot over Behonick for his third goal of the year and a 3-0 lead.
Harrisburg's defensive posture kept Long Island in check after the break, even after the Rough Riders threw virtually everyone into the attack. From the 44th minute (when a Ricardo Ordain header missed wide) until the 73rd minute (when Megaloutis took a pop from the 20 yards out that Bishop handled), the City Islanders held Long Island without a shot.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from June 3, 2006
- Eagles win third straight with Daka goal - Charlotte Eagles
- City Islanders Roll to First Win of Season - Penn FC
- Cincinnati Kings Fall 1-0 to Richmond Kickers - Cincinnati Kings
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