City Islanders Stun Western Mass
July 15, 2005 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release
(Ludlow, Mass.) - Chad Severs scored twice and Sumed Ibrahim added a goal and an assist as the Harrisburg City Islanders upset the league-leading Western Mass Pioneers 4-2 at Lusitano Stadium on Friday night.
With their second straight win, the City Islanders improved to 8-3-3 (27 points) and extended their club record unbeaten streak to nine games. Harrisburg ended a five-game winning streak for the Pioneers (9-3-4, 31), who entered the night holding first place in the USL Second Division. Western Mass also suffered their first home loss of the season (5-1-2).
Severs struck twice in the first 10 minutes of the match, sandwiching scores around an Omar McFarlane tally for Western Mass. In the fourth minute, Severs applied the finish after midfielder Sumed Ibrahim sprung him behind the defense, and the rookie sharpshooter cashed in a rebound after Adam Clay's shot rang off the crossbar at the 10-minute mark. With the scores, Severs set new club marks for goals (eight), points (17), and multiple-goal games (two) in a season.
The dust had barely settled before Danny Dalipi pulled a goal back for Western Mass in the 32nd minute to tie the game at 2-2. But just 11 minutes later, Sumed put Harrisburg back in front to stay, weaving through the Pioneers defense before burying his own rebound to make it 3-2 at the half. It was the fourth goal of the year for the former Chicago Fire draft pick.
Steve Fisher accounted for the only goal in a second half that featured more than a few quality chances for the City Islanders, who kept pressing against a comeback-minded Western Mass side that played a man down after McFarlane's ejection in the 65th minute. Fisher notched his third score of the season when he put home a Shane Crawford free kick service in the 78th minute.
"This was a great win," said Harrisburg Head Coach Bill Becher. "We did a fine job against the top team in the league, especially in the attack. But if we were a little bit sharper defensively, we could have put this game away in first half. This is a nice way to start our weekend, and we'll get back at it tomorrow night."
Notes: The City Islanders complete their weekend road trip tomorrow night against the New Hampshire Phantoms at Southern New Hampshire University. Kickoff will be 7:30 p.m...Harrisburg's four goals tied a season high...The City Islanders are 8-0-0 when leading at halftime.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 15, 2005
- City Islanders Stun Western Mass - Penn FC
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