Islanders Beat Richmond, Gain Berth in Playoffs
July 28, 2007 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release
(Harrisburg, PA, June 28, 2007)- The Harrisburg City Islanders (10-2-5) welcomed defending USL Second Division champions Richmond Kickers (11-3-4) to Skyline Sports Complex for a humid mid-summer night match. Richmond's late arrival to City Island pushed the start time back a half hour; however neither team hesitated to create opportunities right from the whistle. A heroic two goal performance by forward Brian Ombiji lifted the Islanders past the top seeded Kickers and gave them a birth in the second division playoffs.
The hosts did not hesitate to get the large home crowd on their feet. Three minutes into the match midfielder Mo Oduor slotted a through ball in behind the Richmond defense to an energetic Steve Fisher who drove a low left-footed shot just wide of the Richmond net. Oduor showcased his creativity once again in the 20th minute when he lofted a long ball over the Richmond defense finding the foot of a streaking David Schofield who got a quick shot off. The blast beat Richmond goalie, Ronnie Pascale, however failed to find goal as it sailed just over the crossbar.
Both teams created several more chances; however it was not until the 60th minute when Richmond's Ricky Schramm finished a cross from Nowaf Jaman, beating Harrisburg goalie Matt Nelson.
The hosts waited only 5 minutes to draw even when a mix up in front of the Richmond net freed Brian Devlin who touched the ball to an open Brian Ombiji who slammed into the net, beating the frantic Richmond defense. His ecstatic goal celebration reinvigorated the crowd of more than 1,800 and completely changed the environment inside Skyline Sports Complex.
The hosts created several more promising opportunities and watched as goalie Matt Nelson made an unbelievable goal line save, on a point black shot, sprawling to his right and extending one glove to bring the low shot to a stop.
Ombiji struck again in the 87th minute when he found himself on the receiving end of a bending free kick from second half sparkplug Matt Tanzini. The ball glanced off of the head of Ombiji and almost as in slow motion found its way past the diving Richmond goalie. The win gives the Islanders a birth into the postseason playoffs and leaves them atop the USL Second Division table with Richmond.
The Islanders travel to Ohio for two matches next weekend against Cleveland (Aug 3) and Cincinnati (Aug 4) before returning home to take on Crystal Palace Baltimore (Aug 11) for the final regular season match of the season.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 28, 2007
- Islanders Beat Richmond, Gain Berth in Playoffs - Penn FC
- Phantoms Defeat Wilmington Hammerheads, 3-2 - New Hampshire Phantoms
- Thrilling 1-0 Victory Over Charlotte Keeps Stars In Hunt For Top Honor - Cleveland City Stars
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