Lions Maintain Division Lead
Published on June 11, 2012 under United Soccer League Championship (USL) News Release
ORLANDO, Fla. - Orlando City moved five points clear at the top of the USL PRO standings as Jamie Watson's second-half goal gave the Lions a 2-1 victory against the Charleston Battery on Saturday night at the Florida Citrus Bowl.
The Lions gave a debut to on-loan addition Jean Alexandre, with the team from the San Jose Earthquakes, and the Haitian opened the scoring in the seventh minute as he headed home from Jerome Mechack's cross. Charleston came into the game after the early setback, though, with Sallieu Bundu going close with a good volley that went just over the crossbar just before the half-hour mark.
The Battery tied the game in the 38th minute as a corner came to Nicki Paterson, who fired home his league-leading sixth goal of the season, sending the sides to the break even. But the Lions regained the lead in the 57th minute as Watson scored his second goal of the season, firing into the left corner of the net from just inside the penalty area after the Battery were unable to clear Mechack's cross.
Orlando remains at home this weekend as they host Antigua Barracuda FC on Sunday night at 6 p.m. ET at the Florida Citrus Bowl. Antigua is also the next opponent for the Battery, as they visit Blackbaud Stadium Friday night at 7:30 p.m. ET.
FRIDAY
ROCHESTER 1, WILMINGTON 1: The Rochester Rhinos and Wilmington Hammerheads played to draw at Sahlen's Stadium, extending the Rhinos' winless run in USL PRO to five games. Tyler Rosenlund had the opening goal for the Rhinos, but Paul Nicholson hit back after the break for the Hammerheads.
Both sides had chances in the first half-hour, Wilmington going close to opening the scoring on an overhead kick by Corey Hertzog from 10 yards out. It was Rochester that opened the scoring in the 30th minute, however, as Rosenlund headed home Danny Earls' cross from the left at the near post.
The Hammerheads hit back after the break, however, as Nicholson arrived late in the penalty area to rifle a finish into the right corner of the net from a low cross. As the rain continued to get heavier as the game wore on, the sides settled for a point apiece.
SATURDAY
RICHMOND 1, CHARLOTTE 0: David Bulow scored in second-half stoppage time to give the Richmond Kickers victory against the Charlotte Eagles at City Stadium, with the Kickers maintaining fourth place in the USL PRO standings as they extended their undefeated streak in USL PRO to eight games.
Richmond had the early chances, Edson Elcock and Stanley Nyazamba both being denied by the Eagles' defense, but the Eagles were able to get into the game and started creating chances of their own. The best of those came in the 27th minute, as Kickers goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale was forced into a big save to deny Nate Thornton the opening goal of the game. Elcock also went close late in the first half, only for Reed to make a good save.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Richmond's Chris Agorsor going close to giving his side the lead with 10 minutes to go, only for his chip to go over the crossbar. With the game seemingly headed for a draw, Bulow tapped home Agorsor's low cross from the left at the far post to grab all three points for the Kickers.
The Kickers will head to North Carolina next weekend, facing the Wilmington Hammerheads on Friday night at Legion Stadium in their next outing. The Eagles will then host the Kickers on Saturday night at Charlotte Christian Stadium at 8 p.m. ET.
WILMINGTON 2, HARRISBURG 0: A pair of goals by Andriy Budnyy and Corey Hertzog three minutes apart in the first half gave the Wilmington Hammerheads victory against the Harrisburg City Islanders at Skyline Sports Complex, moving the Hammerheads into fifth position in the USL PRO standings as they earned four points on their trip to the northeast.
Wilmington came out brightly to start, putting pressure on the City Islanders defense and midfield, and they took the lead in the 31st minute as Budnyy was able to latch onto a good ball into the right channel by Emanuel Guzman before sliding his shot low past advancing Harrisburg goalkeeper Nick Noble. The Hammerheads doubled their lead three minutes later as a cross from the right was tracked down in the left corner by Paul Nicholson, who found Hertzog 15 yards from goal for a low finish into the left corner of the net.
Harrisburg was dangerous at times, and Sainey Touray's pace certainly asked questions of the Hammerheads' defense. Despite being outshot 18-4, Wilmington was able to withstand the pressure, Alex Horwath recording a shutout as his side took all three points.
The Hammerheads return home Friday night to host the Richmond Kickers, whom they trail by a point for fourth place in the standings, at Legion Stadium at 7:30 p.m. ET. The City Islanders will also be at home Friday, hosting the Rochester Rhinos at Skyline Sports Complex, at 6 p.m. ET.
DAYTON 1, PITTSBURGH 1: A late goal by Darren Amoo earned the Pittsburgh Riverhounds a point, and denied the Dayton Dutch Lions their first league win of the season, as the sides finished even at Careflight Field.
Both goals came in the final 15 minutes, with the Dutch Lions breaking the deadlock in the 79th minute as Mettin Copier finished off a spell of pressure by driving home Eli Garner's low cross from the left into the back of the net. The Riverhounds responded well, and they got back on even terms when Amoo was on hand to knock home the rebound of a cross from the left inside the six-yard box.
Both goalkeepers were sharp most of the game, with Dayton's Matt Williams and Pittsburgh's Hunter Gilstrap both making great saves before the break to keep the game scoreless. Williams was also called on in stoppage time, tipping a curling shot over the crossbar to keep the game even, as the game became frenetic with both sides looking for a winner.
The Dutch Lions head west this weekend as they visit the Los Angeles Blues for a pair of games on Friday and Sunday night. The Riverhounds return home to host the Rochester Rhinos Sunday at 3 p.m. ET at Chartiers Valley Stadium.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from June 11, 2012
- Sounders U23 Move Top of Northwest - USL
- Battery Continues 20 Year Tradition of Playing International Exhibitions - Charleston Battery
- Lions Maintain Division Lead - USL
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