USL-1 Richmond Kickers

Kickers Host Anthem Night To Benefit VCU\'s Massey Cancer Center

Published on April 19, 2005 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Richmond Kickers News Release


RICHMOND, VA – (Tuesday, April 19, 2005) – The Richmond Kickers are pleased to team up with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in the support of the fight against cancer. Join us for Anthem Night this Friday, April 22nd at 7:00 p.m. at the University of Richmond Stadium when the Kickers host rival Virginia Beach Mariners. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Jamie Hess Cancer Research Fund at VCU's Massey Cancer Center.

Established in honor of Jamie Hess, a ten-year old soccer fan who lost his battle with leukemia in 2002, the Jamie Hess Cancer Research Fund is to help seed new research projects in the area of Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplantation. The first research project to be underwritten by the Jamie Hess Research Fund directly supports the testing and identification of the most effective and best-tolerated methods of obtaining stem cells to use in transplant therapy by comparing three different chemotherapy approaches.

Richmond vs. Virginia Beach – James River Cup

The Kickers will face the Mariners in a back-to-back home and home series this weekend, traveling to Virginia Beach on Saturday, April 23rd after Friday night's match up in Richmond. Richmond will play Virginia Beach for the first time this season after dominating in 2004, finishing with a series record of 3-0-1. At stake is the 2005 James River Cup, a competition between Richmond and Virginia Beach based on total points at the end of all regular season matches played between the two teams. Beginning in 1996, the James River Cup competition has been in existence for seven seasons as a local derby between the two clubs (the Mariners did not field a team in 1997 or 2001). Defending 2004 James River Cup Champion, the Kickers have won the competition consistently for the past six seasons (1998-2000, 2002-2004).

"Playing against the Beach is always a very special occasion," comments Richmond Kickers Head Coach Leigh Cowlishaw. "Both teams playing with plenty of energy, intensity and aggression and we can expect this to be the case this weekend."

Players to Watch

Kickers: Both of the Kickers co-second leading scorers in 2004 recorded multiple points during the season home opener against Atlanta last weekend. Forward Kevin Jeffrey (#10) tallied the first goal of the season while forward Matthew Delicâte (#7) clinched the victory with two goals in under five minutes. Rookie out of Virginia Intermont College Robert Ssejjemba (#14) made his professional debut against Atlanta and created several dangerous plays. Defender Kevin Knight contributed both offensively and defensively, assisting on the Kickers third and final goal of the night and being stopped by the woodwork on another occasion.

Mariners: Returning for the Mariners are a number of veterans including Stephen Danbusky (#2), Steve Shak (#20) and Jakob Fenger (#11), who finished the 2004 season fourth in scoring with four goals and four assists for 12 points. Also returning to Virginia Beach is midfielder Jeff Bilyk (#7) who appeared in 22 games in 2004 for 1,895 minutes. Joining the Mariners this season is former U-18 England International Darren Caskey (#8) as well as Teafore Bennett (#10), an unpredictable and proven goal-scorer from Jamaica.

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USL First Division Stories from April 19, 2005


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