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First Set Of Weekly Honors Announced

April 22, 2008 - USL First Division (USL-1) News Release


TAMPA, FL - United Soccer Leagues announced the first editions of the 2008 Team of the Week honors for the USL First Division and USL Second Division Tuesday, honoring Charleston's Dominic Cianciarulo and Charlotte's Dustin Swinehart as the Players of the Week, respectively.

Charleston Battery rookie midfielder Dominic Cianciarulo made quite an impression in his professional debut, scoring two equalizers on the road against the Miami FC Blues on a rainy night in South Florida. Cianciarulo doubled his all-time USL goal total, having tallied just once in 16 games for the Central Florida Kraze (2004-05) and Carolina Dynamo (2007) while playing in the Premier Development League.

Trailing 1-0 in the 63rd minute, the Furman University product blasted a one-time volley from 16 yards out inside the post to level the match. He tallied the second equalizer in stoppage time when he was the beneficiary of a poor Miami clearance in the box as the ball came right to him for the put away and a share of points.

A five-time All-League selection in the USL Second Division, Dustin Swinehart is no stranger to being selected to the Team of the Week or garnering Player of the Week honors. The veteran Charlotte Eagles player is again at the forefront of the team's attack with recent star striker Jacob Coggins having moved onto the USL-1 Carolina RailHawks. On Saturday, he came through with four strikes against visiting Bermuda in a 6-0 victory.

The Eagles' all-time leading scorer put the first point on the scoreboard in the 20th minute of play. Midfielder Alex Woods set up the scoring chance, with a low shot from the left side, just inside the 18 yard box. Bermuda goalkeeper Timmy Figuereido made the save on Woods' shot, but the rebound came right out to the feet of Swinehart, just 8 yards out. Swinehart fired off a quick shot, but Figureido was there once again. Figureido, couldn't hold onto the wet ball, and the rebound came out to Swinehart a second time. This time Swinehart picked the bottom right corner, and scored to put the Eagles up 1-0.

Charlotte extended the lead to two goals in the 39th minute, with another goal from Swinehart. Alex Woods played the ball forward through the midfield onto the run of Patrick Daka. Daka slotted a pass to the left for Swinehart, who beat Figureido with a low shot inside the left post.

Swinehart earned his hat trick in the 49th minute. Joseph Kabwe served the ball into the middle from deep down the left side. Colombian midfielder Jorge Herrera connected with the cross, and volleyed a shot on goal. Figureido made the save on Herrera's shot, but once again Swinehart was there to collect the rebound and score with a low shot inside the right post.

Just when we thought Swinehart was done for the night he scored his fourth goal of the match in the 63rd minute. Kabwe on the fast break knocked the ball to Swinehart, sprinting up the middle. Swinehart finished it off with a well placed shot in the bottom right corner, putting the Eagles up 5-0.

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USL First Division Stories from April 22, 2008


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