Flames take win in first leg of weekend trip
July 17, 2004 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Westchester Flames News Release
Wilmington, NC - 07/17/2004 - The Westchester Flames defeated the Wilmington Hammerheads 2-1 Friday night, in a rematch of last year's national championship matchup. This victory gives the Flames a sweep of the series between the two teams in 2004, with the Flames having won 2-0 on June 12, in New Rochelle, NY. With the Hammerheads focusing all their attention on Flames leading scorer Evaud Thompson, they left Julio Nosta wide open. Nosta made the most of his first major road trip with the team and gave the Flames the lead only 10 minutes into the game. Thompson provided the assist. This quieted the crowd of 2513.
In the 17th minute, Wilmington got the crowd back into the match as Warren Ukah took a ball from George Corrie and got it past Flames goalkeeper Guillermo Valencia. Already having had the crossbar save one certain goal, Valencia was unable to stop this shot.
The score remained tied until the 29th minute, when Nosta was again left alone on the left side of the field. This time, he teamed up with Alex Tobon-Villa who neatly threaded a pass to Nosta who put it between the legs of Wilmington goalkeeper Billy Platz.
With the Flames up 2-1, the Hammerheads poured on the pressure. Thirteen shots in the first half only required Valencia to make two saves. In the second half, the shots became more accurate, as eleven shots commanded four saves.
For Nosta, this game was like a dream. He said, "I still can't believe it happened. They just left alone and I was able to take advantage."
Knowing all along that the Flames could win this match, head coach Gus Skoufis said, "I had no doubt that we would win this match. When that second goal went in, I just felt it was ours." Newcomer Oliver Gonzalez fit nicely into the backline, replacing Piturro this game, and ultimately replacing Mersim Beskovic for the remainder of the season. Taking a half to get a feel for the flow of the team, he stepped it up in the second half, easily covering the backline and helping to thwart each Hammerhead attack as it began to build.
The Flames, 7-5-2, 23 points, must now face the Charlotte Eagles. The team has high expectations after this victory. They will not be satisfied without a North Carolina sweep.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 17, 2004
- Rough Riders overcome Islanders 3-2 in OT - Long Island Rough Riders
- Eagles battle Flames to a soggy 3-2 Charolette win - Charlotte Eagles
- Lady Eagles hold on for 5-4 win - Charlotte Eagles
- City Islanders Fall in Overtime - Penn FC
- Flames take win in first leg of weekend trip - Westchester Flames
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