Islanders Draw against St. Louis, Trail Pittsburgh by One Point in USL Playoff Race
September 6, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release
Harrisburg, PA (September 6, 2015) - The Harrisburg City Islanders missed a chance to take sole possession of the final playoff spot when they played Saint Louis FC to a scoreless draw on Saturday at Skyline Sports Complex.
There is no doubt that Harrisburg deserved a goal in the game as they had chance after chance with two shots from Cardel Benbow rattling off of the post in the closing minutes of the match.
The Islanders gained one point, but a win on Sunday would have seen them leapfrog both Pittsburgh and Charlotte for the last spot in the USL playoff race. The Islanders are now in eighth place behind by two points for the final spot.
Saint Louis played solid bend-but-don't-break defense the entire first half against an imposing Islanders attack that kept the pressure on for almost the full 45 minutes.
Alec Kann, Saint Louis' goalie, was forced to make five saves to keep the game scoreless going into the half. Kann's best save of the half came on a shot by Craig Foster, who was in alone on goal.
Harrisburg had a few more chances to break through at the end of the half, but couldn't find the quality to beat a tough Saint Louis defense.
It was the same story once the second half was underway. Harrisburg kept the pressure on but any potential threat was foiled by Saint Louis.
Foster had a great chance to give the Islanders the opening goal in the 60th minute after making a quick move around the goalie. He took on three defenders with a wide run and a shot that beat two defenders before banking off the third player out of play.
Nick Noble didn't face a shot until late in the first half. It was a hard, low shot that forced him to be quick off his line to keep the game scoreless. He would be needed a few more times to ensure the Islanders would at least get one point out of the match.
Harrisburg had quality chance after quality chance to take the three points away from City Island, but could not break through. Foster, Yann Ekra and Dante Leverock had three chances in a row, but Kann was there to hold the line.
Harrisburg will be back in action in action Sat., September 6 at 7 p.m. on City Island to face off against the Richmond Kickers, one of the two teams they are looking directly up at in the standings.
For more information on the City Islanders or to purchase tickets please visit www.cityislanders.com or call 717-441-GOAL (4625).
United Soccer League Championship Stories from September 6, 2015
- Islanders Draw against St. Louis, Trail Pittsburgh by One Point in USL Playoff Race - Penn FC
- STL FC Grabs Point at Harrisburg - Saint Louis FC
- Sacramento Republic FC Win on the Road to Secure Postseason Berth - Sacramento Republic FC
- Arizona United SC Falls to Surging Real Monarchs SLC - Phoenix Rising FC
- OC Blues FC Makes History, Defeats LA Galaxy II, 2-1 - Orange County SC
- New York wins over Louisville City FC - Louisville City FC
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
