NH Phantoms vs Western Mass Rivalry Renewed with 1-1 Stalemate
May 5, 2007 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
New Hampshire Phantoms News Release
LUDLOW, MA - The NH Phantoms stole some valuable points on the road tonight that could be critical to the playoff picture later in the season. Drawing a 1-1 tie versus the Western Mass Pioneers at Lusitano Stadium in front of 1,223 soccer enthusiasts, the game proved to be a true test for the young Phantoms squad.
"It was only the fourth time since 1998 that we have been able to come away from this stadium with any points,"said an excited Phantoms General Manager Jim Dedeus. "Tonight was clearly a measuring stick for this team and the team proved to itself that we will be a contender game in and game out."
Third year player Almir Barbosa, last year's leading scorer for the Phantoms (10 goals), was hauled down inside the penalty box at the 26-minute mark. Barbosa calmly converted the goal beating Western Mass' goalkeeper to the right side. Western Mass fought back and it was a Phantom foul deep in the corner that proved costly. Jay Willis headed home the tying goal at 49 minutes when Everson Maciel delivered a swerving ball into a frenzied crowd in front of the Phantoms goal.
While the game was evenly played, the physical contest was marred with 60 fouls - 31 against Western Mass and 29 called on the Phantoms. Six cautions were handed out, but no ejections.
United Soccer Leagues call for one four-game series with the nearest geographical opponent on each team's 20-game schedule in 2007, and this was the first for the two heated rivals. Western Mass entered the game with the Phantoms on a winning note having defeated Wilmington's Hammerheads 2-1 after being shut out 2-0 in its opening game against Charlotte Eagles, both games on the road.
New Hampshire was playing its second contest on the road in as many weekends having dropped its opening match 4-0 to the defending 2006 USL2 Champion Richmond Kickers.
DeDeus praised the work ethic of defensive backs James Greenslit (Wheaton College), Michael Cafeteiro (UMass Lowell), and Joseph Clancy (Nova Southeastern University). "All three backs turned in stellar performances," said DeDeus.
The Phantoms played 11 first-year players, but neither the lack of USL2 experience nor the raucous crowd was enough to deter the Phantoms from adding its first point of the season.
NH returns home next weekend for its first ever match at its new home venue at Manchester Memorial High School on the stadium field versus Harrisburg City Islanders. It is expected that the Phantoms will draw one of its largest opening game crowds in years since the days when it had its own home pitch at the former Singer Family Park in Manchester.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 5, 2007
- NH Phantoms vs Western Mass Rivalry Renewed with 1-1 Stalemate - New Hampshire Phantoms
- Phantoms Draw 1-1 versus Wetsern Mass Pioneers - New Hampshire Phantoms
- Cincinnati Kings Win First Game of Season - Cincinnati Kings
- City Islanders Storm Back, Capture 4-3 Win - Penn FC
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