Kickers shoot for the stars in 3-1 win
Published on July 19, 2008 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release
RICHMOND, VA - The Richmond Kickers became the sole second place holder in the USL-2 standings with a 3-1 win over the Cleveland City Stars on Saturday night. Kickers forward David Bulow was responsible for a pair of goals, courtesy of a first half Fabian Dawkins assist and a second half penalty kick while a Cleveland own goal seconds later capped off the night. Meanwhile, City Stars forward Ryan Stewart connected in the final minute of stoppage time to avoid the shutout. The Kickers and the City Stars both clinched a playoff berth following this weekend's results.
The Kickers applied pressure early on and Bulow opened scoring in the 18th minute when he played the ball into the box to newcomer Fabian Dawkins, seven yards out. The Jamaican international laid it off to Bulow who struck the ball with his left-foot, into the right corner, past a diving Cleveland goalkeeper Hunter Gilstrap.
Four minutes later, a foul was called just outside the 18-yard line when Dawkins was brought down inches from the box. Kickers midfielder Sascha Görres lined up the free kick, which blasted through the defensive wall, rebounding off the underside of the crossbar. The ricochet bounced directly downward and was cleared from harm's way.
Cleveland narrowly missed the equalizer in the 33rd minute when midfielder Derek Potteiger stole the ball off a Kickers defender at the top of the box. Potteiger fed the ball wide to forward Ian Leibbrandt on the right wing. He carried it back to the middle and fired from inside the box but his attempt sailed just wide of the far post.
With three minutes remaining in the first half, the Kickers attempted to extend the lead when midfielder Adrian Bumbut played the ball to an onrushing Dawkins on the left wing. Dawkins eluded his marker at the top of the box and slipped the ball across the box, but his cross was intercepted by a Cleveland defender. The poor clearance fell to Kickers midfielder Eliot Paschalis who pushed the ball wide to Bulow, deep on the right flank but his awkwardly-angled shot was recovered by Gilstrap.
Following the second half restart, the City Stars attempted several shots from outside the box, but it was not until the 62nd minute that Kickers goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale was tested. Leibbrandt, dangerous again, battled Kickers defender Trevor McEachron up the left wing. Leibbrandt pushed McEachron off the ball and lined up a clear shot from 18 yards to the near post but Pascale made a diving save to preserve the lead.
The Kickers doubled the score in the 70th minute when a penalty kick was awarded in favor of the home side. Bulow carried the ball deep into the left flank and attempted to cross it in front of the open goal mouth. In attempt to clear the ball, City Stars defender Jeremy Tolleson committed a handball in the box. Bulow lined up the shot at the spot and ran onto the ball with a stutter step to bury it just inside the right post, as Gilstrap dove left.
Not 30 seconds later, the Kickers lead improved to 3-0 after a defensive mistake led to an own goal. As Bulow pressured Tolleson on the right side of the box, he tried to pass the ball back to his goalkeeper from close range. Gilstrap misread the play and allowed the ball to slip past him and into the back of the net.
As the final whistle drew near, Richmond forward Pat Viray entered the match for Bulow and made an immediate impact, streaking down the field. Heavily marked in the 89th minute, he beat the last defender and unleashed a shot to the near post but it sailed inches from the target.
The City Stars reduced the margin during stoppage time when defender Mark Schulte played the ball into the box from the right side. Taking control of the ball at the 12-yard spot, forward Ryan Stewart struck fast and slid a low ball to the lower left corner, past an unsuspecting Pascale.
The Kickers return to the University of Richmond Stadium next Saturday, July 26th when they host the Real Maryland Monarchs and Public Safety Night. Get up close to the action as a fire truck, police cars and other emergency response vehicles will be on display. Kickoff is slated for 7:00 pm and the first 500 fans receive hackey sacks courtesy of Mentor Match. Order tickets in advance via RichmondKickers.com.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 19, 2008
- Kickers shoot for the stars in 3-1 win - Richmond Kickers
- Herrera Earns Five Assists in 8-0 Charlotte Win Over Real Maryland - Charlotte Eagles
- Cleveland City Stars Suffer 3-1 Defeat to Richmond - Cleveland City Stars
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