City Islanders To Host Dayton On Friday
Published on July 11, 2012 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release
Harrisburg, PA- The Harrisburg City Islanders (6-4-5) will welcome the Dayton Dutch Lions FC (2-8-6) to Skyline Sports Complex on Friday at 6 p.m.
With less than half the season left to play, the City Islanders are in the thick of the playoff hunt in USL PRO. Currently sitting in fifth place, Harrisburg has crept up the standings in the last couple of weeks following a two-game slide on the road against two teams ahead of them, Orlando and Charleston.
In their Saturday matchup against visiting Antigua, the Islanders needed stoppage-time heroics from sub Sainey Touray to salvage a 1-1 draw. After sitting around for 72 minutes during a weather delay, both Antigua and Harrisburg came out with physical play and offensive daring in a game that saw 14 fouls and 20 shots overall. Antigua looked like it had taken home a road upset after scoring in the 71st off a deflected Matt Aldred shot, but Harrisburg's 14th shot in the game proved to be the breakthrough they needed against Antigua's goalkeeper, Molvin James. James, the 23-year-old Antiguan native, collected eight saves on the night, many in spectacular fashion. Early diving stops against Harrisburg's Morgan Langley, Drew Yates and Andrew Welker nixed potential goals - and swings in momentum - for the home side, and boosted Antigua's confidence as the match progressed.
Dayton is coming off a road loss to Rochester on Saturday. At Sahlen's Stadium, a crowd of 5,432 saw a goal near the start and the conclusion of the game, both by the home team. Danny Earls opened the scoring in the 3rd minute of action off a give-and-go with midfielder J.C. Banks. Sub Isaac Kissi sealed the victory in the 90th on a running counter. The Dutch Lions, however, are 2-1-1 in their last four contests, a point that was not lost on Harrisburg midfielder Jason Pelletier.
"The game on Friday is a must win for us," he said. "We only have a couple home games left and need to get as many points as we can to climb the standings before playoffs. Dayton is playing well and has had some good results lately, so we can't think it is going to be an easy game."
The five-year veteran for the Islanders thought the young squad could learn from Antigua's game, and apply those lessons to the team's playoff run.
"To tie Antigua on Saturday was very frustrating, because I thought we played well enough to win; we just didn't have that killer mentality to finish our chances," he said. "In the end we didn't quit and got lucky to pull out a tie in the 90+. We have to start putting together a complete 90 minutes and once we do that I think we have a great chance to keep moving up the standings and secure a playoff spot."
Dayton will look to avenge a 4-0 loss on May 19, when the Dutch Lions last visited Skyline Sports Complex. Harrisburg's offense was on point in the match, recording its highest goal total for the season.
Kickoff for Friday's game will take place at 6 p.m., with gates opening at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $14 for adults, $7 for youths and $12 for senior tickets. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.cityislanders.org or call 717-441-GOAL.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 11, 2012
- City Islanders To Host Dayton On Friday - Penn FC
- Blues to Host Guatemalan Giants Municipal on July 22 - Orange County SC
- Blues Roster Gets "Facelift" Ahead of Antigua Matches - Orange County SC
- Soccer Clinic with Bryan Roy - Dayton Dutch Lions
- Charleston Battery to Host Amputee Soccer Clinic - Charleston Battery
- Kickers Host Pittsburgh Friday - Richmond Kickers
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