City Islanders Weekly
July 18, 2005 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release
The Harrisburg City Islanders (8-3-4, 28 points) earned four points on a tough weekend road trip, grabbing a win and a tie to extend their franchise record unbeaten streak to 10 games. The City Islanders solidified their hold on fourth place in the USL Second Division and put themselves in position to make a run at the top of the table as the regular season winds down.
On Friday, July 15, Chad Severs scored twice in the first 10 minutes of the match as the City Islanders upset the Western Mass Pioneers in Ludlow, Mass. Sumed Ibrahim (who also recorded an assist) and Steve Fisher added goals for Harrisburg. The loss ended a five-game winning streak and was the first home defeat this season for the Pioneers, who entered the night in sole possession of first place in the USL-2.
The victory allowed Harrisburg to wrap up the season series with Western Mass.
The City Islanders battled for a 1-1 tie against the New Hampshire Phantoms on Saturday, July 16. Ryan O'Neill, making his first start for Harrisburg, scored the team's only goal in the 76th minute.
THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE...
Tuesday, July 19 - Training, "In The Net," 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, July 20 - Training, "In The Net," 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, July 21 - Training, "In The Net," 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Friday, July 22 - Training, "In The Net," 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, July 23 - City Islanders vs. New Hampshire Phantoms, Skyline
Sports Complex, 7:05 p.m.
The City Islanders play four of their final five regular season games at home, beginning this Saturday, July 23, against New Hampshire. Kickoff at Skyline Sports Complex will be 7:05 p.m.
The Phantoms showed well in fighting Harrisburg to a 1-1 tie in New Hampshire this past Saturday, but the club is only 1-6-0 on the road (having been outscored 21-8 in those games) this year. The City Islanders defeated the Phantoms 2-1 in overtime last August 6 at Skyline.
Harrisburg will be looking to extend both a franchise record 10-game unbeaten streak and a four-game home winning streak, also a team record.
The game kicks off a busy seven-day stretch for Harrisburg. The City Islanders will host the Long Island Rough Riders in a rare Wednesday night match on July 27 (7:05 p.m.), and travel to Northern Virginia to face the Royals on Saturday, August 30 (7:30 p.m.).
If the City Islanders win this match and the Charlotte Eagles defeat Wilmington on Saturday, New Hampshire will be eliminated from playoff contention.
ODDS AND ENDS...
- Dustin Bixler's consecutive minutes streak is about to come to an end. The rookie central defender received two yellow cards over the weekend, giving him five for the season and meriting a one-game suspension, which he will serve this Saturday against New Hampshire. Bixler, from Red Land High School and Lock Haven University, has not missed a second of the 2005 season for Harrisburg, playing 1,350 uninterrupted minutes. He would have broken the team record for consecutive minutes - 1,441, set by Keith Costigan a year ago - on Wednesday, July 27, at home against Long Island.
- J.T. Dorsey, Bixler's counterpart in the middle of Harrisburg's defense, has extended his string of consecutive starts to 26, a running team record.
- Chad Severs scored five points over the weekend (2g, a), giving him 18 on the season. Severs, the rookie from Penn State, is tied for fourth in the league in both points and goals (eight). He has already set franchise records in both those categories.
- All eight of Harrisburg's wins this year have come when the team has led at halftime (8-0-0).
United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 18, 2005
- City Islanders Weekly - Penn FC
- Phantoms miss win at home - New Hampshire Phantoms
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