USL Richmond Kickers

Kickers Suffer Loss in Wilmington

Published on July 22, 2009 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release


WILMINGTON, NC - The Richmond Kickers conceded three second half goals, suffering their first defeat in the last seven matches with a 3-2 loss to the Wilmington Hammerheads Wednesday night. Following a scoreless first half, Wilmington broke the ice in the 59th minute on a Jamie Franks tally. Philip Hufstader doubled the score eight minutes later with Kickers forward Matthew Delicâte notching his 11th goal of the season to cut the deficit in the 72nd minute. Wilmington reclaimed the two-goal advantage three minutes later when Andriy Budnyy connected on a Kenneth Bundy cross. Veteran Mike Burke notched a second Kickers tally with three minutes remaining in regulation with Adrian Bumbut just missing the equalizer during stoppage time. The Kickers host the Champions of Guatemala, C.S.D. Comunicaciones this Saturday, July 25th and return to regular season action one week later to host the Real Maryland Monarchs on August 1st.

A defensive first half led to few chances on either side of the field. The Kickers were able to cut through the Wilmington defense in the 31st minute when defender Kenny Cutler delivered a cross into the box from the right side. Delicâte, stationed eight yards out, won the ball in the air but his header just missed the far post.

With just two minutes remaining in the first half and little offensive pressure from the Hammerheads, the Kickers narrowly missed a second good chance to get on the scoreboard. Burke received the ball on the left side, dribbled into the box and fired a shot to the far post that glanced inches over the woodwork.

Wilmington's first good shot of the night gave way to their first goal in the 59th minute. A Hammerheads player attempted a long-range shot that was deflected to midfielder Mark Briggs. Briggs played the ball to Franks stationed 22 yards out, who unleashed a curling strike to the upper 90.

The Hammerheads doubled their lead in the 67th minute when they hustled on a quick free kick on the right flank. Defender Jeritt Thayer got in behind the defense and crossed the ball to a wide-open Hufstader eight yards out and the forward one-timed it into the back of the net.

The Kickers cut the deficit in the 72nd minute when midfielder Ben Hunter played the ball to an onrushing Kenny Cutler on the right wing. The former Real Salt Lake defender crossed the ball into the box, finding Delicâte in the air 11 yards out, who nodded home his 11th goal of the season.

Three minutes later, the Hammerheads reclaimed their two-goal advantage when Bundy capitalized on a nice combination on the right side. Cutting inside, he played the ball back to Budnyy who took a shot from 16 yards. Despite a slight deflection, his strike slotted just inside the far post.

Later, the Kickers rallied back, adding their second tally of the night with just three minutes remaining in regulation. Defender Sascha Görres played a corner to Burke, positioned at the top of the box. Burke lined up a shot with his right foot that was cleared out by the Wilmington defense. The rebound fell directly to Burke, who this time fired a left-footed strike, that cut through the defenders and slipped into the goal.

In a last minute effort to level the score, a good combination between midfielder Chris Carrieri and Delicâte fed Adrian Bumbut through on goal. Bumbut fired from 10 yards out but goalkeeper Kyle Polak charged off his line to save the bouncing ball.

The Richmond Kickers return to the University of Richmond Stadium to host Club Social y Deportivo Comunicaciones, Champions of the Guatemalan First Division, Liga Nacional, on Saturday, July 25th. The match marks the first time in history the Guatemalan First Division team will play in Richmond. The 2008/2009 champions will take on the Kickers in a historic international exhibition at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are on sale now via RichmondKickers.com.

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 22, 2009


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