City Isles Fend Off Cincy, Unbeaten Streak Hits 14
August 6, 2005 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release
(Harrisburg, Pa.) - Chad Severs scored the only goal of the game and goalkeeper Dave Kern made five saves as the playoff-bound Harrisburg City Islanders pushed past the Cincinnati Kings 1-0 in front of 1,877 fans at Skyline Sports Complex on Saturday night. The City Islanders improved to 11-3-5 (38 points) and extended their franchise record unbeaten streak to 14 games.
Harrisburg also at least temporarily moved into sole possession of second place in the USL Second Division, three points behind the first-place Charlotte Eagles (who beat Pittsburgh 2-1 on Saturday) and one point ahead of the third-place Western Mass Pioneers (who host the New Hampshire Phantoms on Sunday at 6:00 p.m.). Wilmington sits fourth with 35 points.
Harrisburg's offense scored 12 goals in two wins last week - on Saturday, it was the defense's turn to shine. A sturdy defensive effort and composed goalkeeping from Kern led the City Islanders past the Kings, who showed that despite their elimination from playoff contention, they still had plenty of fight left in them, both literally and figuratively. The teams combined for 30 fouls and seven cautions in this physical contest, and Cincinnati's George Kithas was ejected in the 87th minute after a hard foul on Harrisburg's Derek Potteiger.
While the teams slugged it out in the middle third of the field for much of the match, Kern and his counterpart Matt Gibson (seven saves) were forced into action frequently. Kern, whose four clean sheets this year are a team record, showed excellent positioning and sharp reactions as he snuffed out anything the Kings threw his way. The second-year keeper remains undefeated (9-0-1) on the season, thanks in part to some tenacious work by the 10 men in front of him.
Harrisburg outshot the Kings 14-8, but their only score came from Severs, the rookie front man who has already set a team scoring record. In first-half stoppage time, Cincinnati's Tiest Sondaal bowled over Severs in the penalty area, and the Penn State grad promptly converted the p.k. It was the 12th goal of the year for Severs, the second most in the league.
From there, the City Islanders focused on frustrating the Kings and looked to get forward on counterattacks (a few of which just narrowly missed). Kern and the defense handled the rest.
While the USL-2's four playoff teams have been decided, the final weekend of the regular season will decide their seeding (#1 will play #4 and #2 will face #3 in the two-leg, aggregate score Semifinals).
Harrisburg hosts Pittsburgh next Saturday, August 13 (7:05 p.m. at Skyline). Charlotte and Wilmington also square off in Wilmington that night. After tomorrow's match, the Pioneers wrap up by hosting Long Island on Wednesday.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 6, 2005
- City Isles Fend Off Cincy, Unbeaten Streak Hits 14 - Penn FC
- Kings drop physical contest to Harrisburg, 1-0 - Cincinnati Kings
- Ordain and Coggins lead Charlotte Over Pittsburgh 2-1 - Charlotte Eagles
- Ben Olsen and Josh Gros to attend "The Clash of the Capitals" - Penn FC
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