Herrera Scores Two in 4-3 Win at Wilmington
Published on July 12, 2008 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charlotte Eagles News Release
(Wilmington, NC) - The Charlotte Eagles pro soccer team faced the Wilmington Hammerheads on the road Saturday night. Jorge Herrera scored two goals to lead the Eagles in a 4-3 victory. Charlotte, 10-1-4 for 34 points, has clinched a berth in the USL-2 post-season with five games remaining in the Eagles' regular season.
Wilmington entered the match ready to go and had the better of the play in the first 25 minutes. Brian Civilikas put the first point on the scoreboard in the 15th minute, heading in a serve from the right side by Chris Murray.
Charlotte responded in the 39th minute, capitalizing on a corner kick. Jorge Herrera took the corner kick from the right side and played it short to Joseph Kabwe up the endline. Kabwe layed the ball off to his right for Herrera. Jorge Herrera scored with a left-footed shot that found the back of the net with the help of a deflection.
The Eagles took over the lead just two minutes later with a goal by Robert Ssejjemba. Charlotte had a beautiful build up on the play, stringing along 5-6 passes. Ben Johnson got the ball on the right side on an underlapping run. Johnson made a great cross to find Ssejjemba wide open for the header and the goal.
Jorge Herrera scored his second goal of the match in the 43rd minute to give Charlotte a 3-1 lead. Charlotte played the ball forward from the midfield to Dustin Swinehart. Swinehart layed the ball off for Herrera who blasted a left-footed shot from 12 yards out. Herrera's shot went bending around to the right side of the goal to beat Wilmington goalkeeper John O'Hara.
Wilmington cut the Charlotte lead back to one goal in the final minute of the first half, when the Hammerheads were awarded a free kick for a Charlotte foul, 25 yards out. Tray Alexander took the free kick for Charlotte. Alexander's struck a pretty shot that bent over the Charlotte wall and beat Eagles goalkeeper Terry Boss on the left side. The first half ended with the Eagles up 3-2.
The Charlotte Eagles dominated play early in the second half. Jonah Long scored the first goal of the half in the 62nd minute. Joseph Kabwe served the ball in from the left side and found Robert Ssejjemba. Ssejjemba poked the ball back out to the top of the 18 yard box for Long who scored with a long hard shot to beat O'Hara.
It looked as if the match would close with a 4-2 victory for Charlotte, but an odd senario in stoppage time gave Wilmington a final chance to score, and they capitalized. Wilmington was awarded an indirect free kick in the final seconds of stoppage time, when Terry Boss was whistled for holding the ball too long in the box. Trey Alexander took the shot off the indirect free kick to score his second goal of the match off a set piece.
The Charlotte Eagles return to home field action on Saturday, July 19th when the Eagles will play host to the Real Maryland Monarchs. Kickoff is slated for 7:00 pm at Restart Field. Save $2.00/ticket when you buy online at www.CharlotteEagles.com prior to game day. Gate ticket prices are $10 for adults and $7 for students 6-18 years of ages. Kids 5 and under get FREE admission
United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 12, 2008
- Herrera Scores Two in 4-3 Win at Wilmington - Charlotte Eagles
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- Late goals good for Kickers 3-1 win over Pittsburgh - Richmond Kickers
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