City Stars settle for 1-1 draw on the road against New Hampshire
July 13, 2007 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Cleveland City Stars News Release
It would prove to be an unlucky night for the Cleveland City Stars as they had to settle for a 1-1 draw with the New Hampshire Phantoms. Even though they got off to a quick start and dominated most of the game, the Stars will only earn one point for their efforts.
The Cleveland squad had several early chances including a great throw-in from #27 Ryan Junge in the 6th minute, which John DeVae headed inches wide of the post. Less than a minute later the Stars earned a corner which Midfielder Derek Potteiger sent just outside the 6 yard box. #16 Dana McGregor, the Stars' aerial ace defied gravity once again brilliantly redirecting the ball into the upper 90 corner of the net for the first score of the match.
Cleveland settled in creating several more opportunities and played some very good soccer. The home grown talent, Spencer Lappin who was scouted from the Lake Erie Men's League, had a breakaway in the 14th minute. He managed to slip past the goalie but was thwarted by the last defender who headed his shot attempt out of the box.
The Phantoms scoring came in the 33rd minute. Jack Cummings #3 for the City Stars collided with a Phantom player while attempting to clear the ball. New Hampshire was awarded a penalty kick and #11 for the Phantoms, Almir Barbosa converted to tie the game.
That would be all the scoring that would be recorded for the night. Cleveland had numerous scoring chances in the second half but always seemed to be inches shy of finding the net. In the 53rd minute, Caleb Patterson, the Stars goalie made a diving save off a shot from Phantoms #9 Thomas McNeil, which even the New Hampshire fans had to acknowledge was spectacular.
The City Stars pressed hard in the final 10 minutes of the match, diligently trying to find the winning touch. Schulte took a free kick outside the box in the 83rd minute which he sent over the wall, but into the hands of the keeper. DeVae had a breakaway in the 85th minute which he wasn't able to finish. And then the most unlucky of the evening's attempts, a shot by Luke Williams which sailed past the goalkeeper into the net was called back, and Cleveland was awarded a free kick instead. The final effort fell just short and the Stars walked away with a draw.
"We had a couple of calls not go our way," said Lappin "but in the future we will have to play through those better. We also need to take advantage of our free kicks and set pieces," he went on to say. Captain Mark Schulte had a similar take on the outcome of the game. "On paper we should have won tonight. It is important for us to come out hungry for these games, regardless of where our opponent is in the standings. This game was ours to win. We just didn't get it done."
Hopefully, the Stars will be able to get it done tomorrow night when they face the Western Mass Pioneers. Cleveland beat Western Mass 4-0 in their previous meeting back on June 16th, but the Pioneers are currently 5th in the standings, and have made good progress since then. It is a game Cleveland is very capable of winning if they can keep focused and finish their opportunities. With the depth and talent of the City Stars squad, the biggest challenge will be to play their own game and as Mark Schulte said, "Come out hungry".
Cleveland will travel to Bermuda for a game against the Hogges on Wednesday, before returning home for their final three regular season games at Krenzler. Special Ticket prices are available for all three home games. For information and game times and ticket prices, check out the official website: www.clevelandcitystars.com.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 13, 2007
- NH Phantoms Tie Cleveland 1-1 - New Hampshire Phantoms
- City Stars settle for 1-1 draw on the road against New Hampshire - Cleveland City Stars
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- After a Grueling Week, Islanders Finish with a Draw - Penn FC
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