Eagles' last regular season home game
Published on August 8, 2004 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charlotte Eagles News Release
(Charlotte, NC) - The Charlotte Eagles Pro Team hosted the Long Island Rough Riders in the Eagles' last regular season home game tonight at Waddell Stadium. Charlotte finished off their regular home season undefeated at Waddell Stadium. Jacob Coggins led the way with four goals in the 6-0 win, to extend his lead in the league on points and goals scored.
Jacob Coggins gave the Eagles the early lead in the fourth minute. Patrick Daka set up the goal driving down the right flank. Daka served a ball in for Coggins at the near post. Coggins popped the ball up into the right corner through the finger tips of Long Island goalkeeper Daniel Sirota. The Eagles continued to control the pace of the game through the first half, but Long Island was dangerous on the counter attack. In the 19th minute of the match, it was Jacob Coggins again on the goal. This time Ishmael Mintah earned the assist with a pretty bending pass to lead Coggins through the defense. Coggins poked a looping shot over the advancing goalkeeper, Sirota. Then in the 20th minute the Rough Riders countered. Long Island forward Derrick Etienne hit a strong hit shot, which Eagles goalkeeper Eric Pattison handled nicely, punching it over the goal. Pattison had to make another great save in the 37th minute when former MLS star Giovanni Savarese shot from 15 yards out. Pattison dove to send the shot just wide. Charlotte out-shot Long Island 10-8 in the first half, and Eric Pattison had four saves.
"We're combining nicely in the attacking half of the field. Jacob's hot, Whitey's (Swinehart) playing, and the top is starting to click right now. Heading into playoffs, it's a great time for that to be happening" commented Eagles head coach Mark Steffens.
The Long Island Rough Riders came out on the attack to start the second half. Derrick Etienne pressed down the left shot took a low shot to the far post, which went just wide. In the 61st minute, Charlotte was awarded a free kick off the Long Island foul near midfield. Kevin O'Brien served the ball in for Swinehart who flicked it with a header over the Sirota. Swinehart's goal sparked the Eagles offense leading to three more goals in ten minutes, but it was the Rough Riders attacking in the 62nd minute. Eagles goalkeeper Eric Pattison kept Long Island scoreless once again with nice kick save on the shot of Savarese. In the 65th minute, Eagles midfielder Chris Lemons took a shot from the top of the 18, it rebounded back out, but Coggins was there to put the shot in the net. Three minutes later, Coggins scored his fourth of the match and 19th of the season. Patrick Daka, again on the assist put a ball over midfield to lead Coggins into Long Island territory. Coggins was all alone on the break away on the right side. Coggins carried just inside the 18 yard box and riffled a shot to the far left corner, under the dive of Sirota. Patrick Daka wrapped up the scoring of the evening in the 72nd minute. Eagles' veteran defender Ben Johnson, speeding down the right side, served a ball right on the foot of Daka, crashing the net for the goal.
Tonight's Charlotte victory improves the Eagles' record to 14-2-2 for 44 points, and tops off their undefeated home season. The Eagles have two regular season games remaining, both on the road. Charlotte has a Pennsylvania road trip next weekend, facing the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on Friday night and the Harrisburg City Islanders on Saturday night before heading to playoffs the following weekend. Charlotte hopes to finish with two more wins and fight for the best record in the league. Pittsburgh currently has the best record at 16-2-1 for 49 points.
Charlotte Eagles vs. Wilmington Hammerheads: PSL Playoffs
The Charlotte Eagles and the Wilmington Hammerheads will meet in the Southern Division playoff of the Pro Soccer League. The Southern Division playoff will consist of a two game aggregate goal home and away series. The first match in the series will be hosted by the Wilmington Hammerheads at Legion Stadium on Friday, August 20th at 7:30pm. Then on Saturday, August 21st the Charlotte Eagles will host the Wilmington Hammerheads at Waddell Stadium, 7:30pm. Fans can save $2.00 on tickets for the August 21st home game in Charlotte, by purchasing tickets in advance. Charlotte playoff tickets will cost $10 for adults and $7 for students (ages 6-18) at the gate. Tickets purchased before 5:00pm on Friday, August 20th will be at the advance purchase price of $8 Adults and $5 Students. Advance tickets can be purchased at the August 7th home game, or by calling (704) 841-8644 x 30.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 8, 2004
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