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USL Richmond Kickers

Kickers Defeat Wilmington 3-1

August 1, 2014 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release


WILMINGTON, NC - The Richmond Kickers picked up three points on the road Friday night, defeating the Wilmington Hammerheads 3-1 at Legion Stadium. Forward Matthew Delicâte and midfielder Shay Spitz gave the Kickers a first half lead and Samuel Asante added a third tally after the break before Wilmington midfielder Drew Ruggles pulled a goal back to avoid the shutout.

The Kickers claimed the advantage inside the first 20 minutes when forward Jason Yeisley launched a throw in into the box from the right flank. A poor clearance pinged around the crowded box before shooting out to Luke Vercollone, who swept the ball back to Yeisley to deliver a lofted cross to Spitz lurking at the back post. Collecting the well-placed service, the Kickers midfielder rifled a left footed shot that rattled the crossbar before dropping at the feet of Delicâte who punched it home from point blank range.

Searching for the equalizer in the 34th minute, midfielder Sammy Ochoa latched on to a loose ball, turned his defender and slotted a leading ball through to Cody Arnoux. Heavily marked, the Wilmington native squared the ball for an onrushing Paul Nicholson who blasted a low driven shot that whistled just wide of the left post.

Three minutes later, defender Troy Cole served a long ball from the right touchline to Arnoux at the left corner of the box. Settling the ball with one touch, he fired from 16 yards but Kickers goalkeeper Ryan Taylor was on his line and made the block.

Later, in the final seconds of first half stoppage time, Kickers defender Sascha Görres drew a foul 35 yards out. The veteran teed up the resulting free kick and delivered a curling left footed cross into the swarming six-yard box, connecting with Spitz who made no mistake redirecting a flicked header past a lunging Quillan Roberts.

The Kickers increased their lead at the hour mark when a Wilmington throw in deep on the right wing was cleared out to Asante springing him free for an 80-yard fast break counter. An unmarked Spitz raced after a leading pass and carried the ball into the box before splitting defenders and centering the ball for Asante who calmly slotted it past a diving Roberts.

The celebration was short-lived as the home side responded six minutes later when Albert Edward received a short throw in from Ruggles and played it back to him on the right edge of the box. The Hammerheads midfielder bent a lofted ball to the far upper 90, catching Taylor off guard and tucking it just under the crossbar.

In the waning minutes of regulation, a give and go between second half substitutes Marc Godelman and Brian Ackley freed Godelman to unleash a laser strike to the near post but Taylor was not to be eluded a second time and parried it over the endline to send the Kickers home with all three points.

The Kickers return to City Stadium on Saturday, August 9 to host the Charlotte Eagles at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at RichmondKickers.com.

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