City Islanders Stifle Lehigh
Published on April 9, 2005 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release
(Hershey, Pa., April 9, 2005) â Rookie forward Bernie Showers accounted for the only goal of the game as the Harrisburg City Islanders shut out Lehigh University 1-0 on Saturday afternoon at Hersheypark Stadium.
Showers, a graduate of local Northern Lebanon High School and St. Francis University, struck in the 32nd minute. Midfielder Matt Crist arced the ball over Lehigh's back four, putting Showers through alone on Mountain Hawk goalkeeper Jim Morahan. Showers did the rest, holding off a defender while slotting the ball inside the left post.
The 21-year-old, who was signed by the team earlier this week, nearly found the net again in the 38th minute when he tapped in a loose ball following a goal-front flurry, but an offside flag negated the score.
Edwin Tichenor (a Cumberland Valley High School product) played the first half in goal for Harrisburg and the recently-signed Bryan Hill finished the game. Neither had much to do for most of the day thanks to the solid work of six Harrisburg defenders and some proficient midfield possession. In fact, Lehigh's only serious scoring chance came in the 39th minute, when forward Joseph Clemente pushed a shot just wide from the left side of the box.
Harrisburg, on the other hand, generated more than a few quality chancesâa good sign with the team's 2005 season opener coming up in a week.
"We've got one more game to prepare ourselves for the regular season," said Head Coach Bill Becher, referring to Sunday's preseason finale, against the PDL's Reading Rage at Hersheypark Stadium (3:00 p.m.). "We like what we're seeing right now, but we've got a little more work to do."
Notes: The City Islanders used 20 players in the game, including twoâdefender Shane Crawford and midfielder Jason Williamsâwho were making their preseason debuts...Harrisburg's 2005 regular season schedule begins on Saturday, April 16, on the road against the expansion Cincinnati Kings. The club's home opener is set for Saturday, April 23, at 7:05 p.m. versus the Pittsburgh Riverhounds.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from April 9, 2005
- Charlotte Eagles defeat Battery in Preseason Match - Charlotte Eagles
- A Look at the 2005 Charlotte Eagles Pro Soccer Team - Charlotte Eagles
- City Islanders Stifle Lehigh - Penn FC
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