Phantoms Lose Opening Game
May 1, 2007 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
New Hampshire Phantoms News Release
(HAMPSTEAD, NH - (Tuesday, May 2, 2007) - The NH Phantoms long trip to Virginia resulted in 4-0 opening game loss for the granite staters, but it was a promising loss for a young squad. With 2,213 fans in attendance, the Richmond Kickers scored two goals in each half en route to the win at Virginia's University of Richmond Stadium. For the Kickers, it was their second win of the season and moved the defending USL Division 2 champion to 2-0-0.
Kickers' midfielders Trey Alexander and Matthew Watson each recorded a goal in the 37th and 38th minutes respectively while 2006 USL2 Most Valuable Player Robert Ssejjemna netted goals in the 21st and 52nd minutes.
The Phantoms, starting five 1st year players and substituting three more rookies in the second frame, actually had the better scoring chances throughout the match, but failed to capitalize. The Phantoms controlled the attack in the early going with last year's leading scorer Almir Barbosa narrowly missing the goal in the 8th minute after taking a cross from the flank. Barbosa was challenged by Kicker's keeper Ronnie Pascale who was able to take away Barbosa's angle.
Just minutes later, Richmond converted on a long through ball to a streaking Ssejjemba who beat Phantoms goalie Brian Levey (UNH) one on one sliding home a right-footed shot from the penalty spot. The goal proved to be the eventual game-winner.
The Phantoms' Jim Dedeus, witnessing his 13th opening game as General Manager of the longest active NH professional franchise, was optimistic following the match. "We had the better scoring chances, and the final score was not indicative of how well our team played," said Dedeus. "If we had finished on our own attacking opportunities, the outcome may have been different. We felt we definitely were Richmond's equal."
Dedeus's theory was supported by the fact that while the Phantoms may have been out-shot 13-8, the visiting team posted a 3-1 advantage in corner kicks. Phantoms' Tyler Jackson had two of the eight shots with back-to-back opportunities - one on a 25-yard free kick that bent around the Kickers wall only to be tipped over the crossbar by a leaping Pascale. The second was another high shot from inside the box which was again deflected over the crossbar helping to preserve the shutout.
The Phantoms look to even its record when it travels to Lusitano Stadium in Ludlow, MA, to take on rival Western Mass Pioneers on Saturday, May 5, at 7:30 PM, in the first of four meetings between the two teams. Western Mass enters the game with a 1-1-0 record having defeated Charlotte Eagles 2-0 and defeating Wilmington Hammerheads 2-1
United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 1, 2007
- Kickers Vs. Virginia Tech Exhibition A Huge Success - Richmond Kickers
- Phantoms Lose Opening Game - New Hampshire Phantoms
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
