Eagles win third straight with Daka goal
June 3, 2006 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charlotte Eagles News Release
(Charlotte, NC) - The Charlotte Eagles hosted the New Hampshire Phantoms tonight at Waddell Stadium. Taurai Daka scored the lone goal of the match to earn the 1-0 victory for Charlotte. With the win, Charlotte improves to 4-1-3 for 15 points.
Charlotte and New Hampshire played a scoreless first half. The Phantoms played a tough first half looking for revenge after losing to Charlotte last weekend in New Hampshire 2-0. New Hampshire out-shot Charlotte 8-6 in the first half of tonight's match. Chris McClellan looked stellar in goal for Charlotte with six saves.
The Eagles picked up their intensity and composure in the second half, especially after Joseph Kabwe came in at the 56th minute mark.
"We found it (rythmn) in the second half when Joseph Kabwe came in. He picked us up, we got a goal shortly after that, and we held on the rest of the way" commented Eagles head coach Mark Steffens.
The Charlotte Eagles scored the only goal of the match in the 69th minute. Joseph Kabwe worked the ball down to the top of the Phantoms' 18 yard box and poked the ball to Dustin Swinehart. Swinehart lofted a pass to Daka who controlled the ball with his chest and fired a volley shot from 25 yards out. Daka's shot hit the ground at the six yard box and bounced up into the top left corner. Goalkeeper Matt Parsons had no chance at a save with the high pace and placement of the shot.
Steffens described the goal: "Great goal! He (Daka) hit it with a tremendous amount of top spin so that when it hit the ground it bounced higher than normal. Daka is really coming on strong. He and Kabwe, his countryman from Zimbabwe are really working well together."
The Eagles are on the road for the next two weekends facing the Richmond Kickers on Saturday June 10th, and Cincinnati Kings on June 17th. June 24th is the Eagles next home game hosting the Pittsburgh Riverhounds.
The Lady Eagles defeated Carolina 4-0 tonight and return to home field action next Friday night at Waddell Stadium hosting the Bradenton Athletics at 7:30 pm. Fans can save $2.00 on each ticket when purchased in advance by midnight the day before the match. Tickets can be purchased at online at www.CharlotteEagles.com or by calling the Eagles Ticket Line: (704) 841-8644 x 32.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from June 3, 2006
- Eagles win third straight with Daka goal - Charlotte Eagles
- City Islanders Roll to First Win of Season - Penn FC
- Cincinnati Kings Fall 1-0 to Richmond Kickers - Cincinnati Kings
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