NH Phantoms win first game of season, 1-0
June 9, 2007 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
New Hampshire Phantoms News Release
MANCHESTER, NH - (June 9, 2007)) - Almir Barbosa's head ball goal in the 30th minute stood up for the New Hampshire Phantoms as it won its first match of the season against arch rival Western Mass Pioneers at Chabot/McDonough Field at Manchester Memorial High School in front of 725 fans.
The action was fast and furious in front of Pioneer goalkeeper Kevin Trapp as Phantoms flank midfielder Flavio Casal served a ball in from his own touchline to a waiting Neil Krause. Krause rocketed a head ball of the right post and Western Mass was able to clear the rebound but right back to a waiting Casal. Casal re-deposited his second serve to the third year veteran forward Almir Barbosa at the penalty spot. Barbosa connected on his own header to the opposite post beating a Pioneer defense that was unable to adjust to the quick serve.
It was Barbosa's third goal of the season and after a slow start he has collected two goals in his past three games. The stellar forward led the Phantoms in scoring last season with 10 goals. He has been marked consistently throughout this year, but made his presence felt on the field collecting 12 of his team's 29 fouls.
The young Phantoms squad has played consistently well as of late, but has only had three ties to show for it. The fleet-footed left midfielder Val Teixeira posed a threat all night long with his blazing runs down the touchline. Teixeira's teammate Romelle Burgess also had a spectacular game and was taken down at the 78:00 on a hard foul by Western Mass Captain Everson Maciel. Maciel was cautioned on the play, and Burgess limped off the field with assistance leaving his team shorthanded for five minutes until he was able to make his return to the field.
The Phantoms defense was tenacious with James Greenslit, Mike Cafetiro, Robert Dow, and Marc Hubbard turning away numerous Pioneer attacks in the final 10 minutes of play. Goalkeeper Brian Levey was called on to make five saves including the Pioneers best bid to score on a point blank re-directed head ball by Maciel on a Patrick Tagle serve.
The Phantoms now embark on a two game road trip next weekend to take on the Wilmington Hammerheads and Charlotte Eagles before returning home to host the Pioneers on Wednesday, June 20.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from June 9, 2007
- Kickers sink Hammerheads 2-0 - Richmond Kickers
- Kings lose rematch - Cincinnati Kings
- Severs, Oduor shine in 4-2 win at Skyline - Penn FC
- Undefeated City Stars win Ohio Derby 1-0 - Cleveland City Stars
- NH Phantoms win first game of season, 1-0 - New Hampshire Phantoms
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