Harrisburg Snuffs Out Flames
June 26, 2004 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Westchester Flames News Release
New Rochelle, NY - 06/26/2004 - The Harrisburg City Islanders came to play today, while it seemed the Westchester Flames did not. With a final score of 3-0 in favor of Harrisburg, the only way to describe this game for Westchester was "ugly".
Missing key players in defense added to the problem. Captain Laurence Piturro missed his second straight game with a knee contusion suffered against Wilmington. His absence along with that of Mersim Beskovic and Julian Kapaj, really had the backline in shambles. Danny Parkin, himself returning from off-season ACL surgery, is still trying to get back to his normal level of play. Mario Gallo did admirably, however it just wasn't enough.
Harrisburg came out ready to play from the opening whistle. They were quicker to the ball and found the openings. The Flames seemed a half step behind all game. Miscues between the Flames players allowed the City Islanders too many chances on goal in the first half. They kept pounding away, getting off eleven shots.
Their persistence paid off as forward Matt Tanzini scored in the 37th minute on what was to become the game winner. Pete Shellenberger had the assist. Minutes later, a scramble in front of the Flames goal resulted in Andy Guastaferro putting a second shot into the net in the 43rd minute. With time running down in the half, the Flames stopped playing before the whistle blew, and Harrisburg struck again, this time in stoppage time, as Derek Potteiger scored to put the City Islanders up 3-0 at the half.
The second half began like the first, with very lackluster play coming from Westchester. Substitutes didn't help. There was just a poor effort across the board.
The Flames must rebound from this game as they next take on the Brooklyn Knights on Friday, July 2nd, at Metropolitan Oval, followed by the Long Island Rough Riders on Sunday, July 4th, at City Park.
Coach Gus Skoufis said about this game, "We made a lot of mistakes. We must learn from them and move on. Obviously, we have a lot of work ahead of us."
How much can be accomplished this week is yet to be seen.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from June 26, 2004
- Rough Riders defeat Phantoms 2-1 - Long Island Rough Riders
- Harrisburg Snuffs Out Flames - Westchester Flames
- Scoring Burst Lifts City Islanders to 3-0 Win - Penn FC
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