Phantoms Visit Western Mass Pioneers Saturday Night
June 28, 2007 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
New Hampshire Phantoms News Release
HAMPSTEAD, NH - (June 28, 2007) - The Phantoms travel to Ludlow, Massachusetts Saturday night for a clash versus rival Western Mass Pioneers in the final match of their four-game series in United Soccer Leagues Second Division action.
The Phantoms split at home winning 1-0 and losing 2-1 with the loss coming on a late goal by the visitors. At Western Mass, the two teams played to a 1-1 stalemate as the Pioneers rallied late to notch the game. The rivalry is one of the oldest in USL-2 soccer dating back to the mid-1990's.
The Pioneers (3-4-4, 13 points) enter the game in fifth place just six points behind Harrisburg City Islanders and fighting for a playoff spot. Only the top four teams will earn a trip to the post-season. NH has had a season filled with adversity including injuries, two losses in extra time, and three losses by a goal. Four games have resulted in ties. It all tallies up to a young team with 12 first-year Phantom players.
NH is holding down 9th place just ahead of the last place Bermuda Hogges who beat NH this past Monday night at The National Stadium in Bermuda 2-1. Only nine points separate fourth place Harrisburg and Bermuda.
Second year Phantoms head coach Sean Carey resigned following the loss in Bermuda, the team announced today. Carey posted a 10-18-5 record over his tenure with NH with a .378 winning percentage. Dave Elliot, Public Relations Director for the Phantoms, states that long term General Manager Jim DeDeus will step in as interim head coach. Four year veteran Phantom player Manny Brito will serve as assistant coach while continuing his midfielder duties on the pitch. Brito, a graduate of St. Lawrence University, is the longest active USL player on the Phantoms team having also played professionally for the Boston Bulldogs and Rhode Island Stingrays. Brito continues to hold the record for most goals and most assists at St. Lawrence.
DeDeus continues to bestow praise upon his troops despite the team's record. "This team battles game in and game out," DeDeus says. "They refuse to throw in the towel and I honestly believe that our fans will see our best soccer of the season in our final seven games."
The Phantoms have also bolstered their roster by adding two New England Revolution reserve players including midfielder Miguel Gonzalez and forward Chris Loftus. Gonzalez has made three appearances for the U-20 United States National Team and scored a pair of goals. He appeared in four games with Bradenton Academics of the Premier Development League. Loftus played at Duke University from 2002 through 2006 netting 19 goals to go along with 11 assists. He was All-ACC in 2005 and selected to the ACC All-Freshmen Team in 2002.
Kickoff time against the Pioneers is 7:30 PM. The Phantoms return home for its final six games beginning July 6 at Manchester Memorial High School. Tickets are available by calling the Phantoms ticket office at 603-329-4422.
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- Phantoms Visit Western Mass Pioneers Saturday Night - New Hampshire Phantoms
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