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USL1 Richmond Kickers

Ritchie and Crisler Deliver Hard-Fought Point at Home

June 4, 2022 - United Soccer League One (USL1)
Richmond Kickers News Release


Jalen Crisler of the Richmond Kickers is greeted by teammates
Jalen Crisler of the Richmond Kickers is greeted by teammates
(Richmond Kickers)

RICHMOND, Va. - - The Richmond Kickers (3-3-3, 12 pts) earned a hard-fought point at City Stadium against rivals South Georgia Tormenta FC (3-3-3, 12 pts), Saturday night. Defender Stuart Ritchie scored his first professional goal while defender Jalen Crisler scored his second goal in as many matches.

Jonathan Bolanos picked up where he left off during Wednesday's match and looked to influence early as he found the first opportunity to score in the 17th minute. Nil Vinyals found Bolanos in the box forcing the Tormenta defender was able to make a last-second tackle.

Tormenta responded with a goal scored by Barry Sharifi in the 22nd minute. A low cross into the box to Kazaiah Sterling as he turned his back to goal allowed him to lay the ball off to Sharifi who fired a curling wormburner into the back of the net.

The Tormenta lead did not last long as Stuart Ritchie netted his first goal as a Kicker. Leonardo Baima hit a ball over Bolanos' defender who was able to pass the ball back near the penalty line where Ritchie was able to one-touch the ball into the back of the net.

Then in the 32nd minute, Nathan Aune settled the ball down from the right side of the box before hitting a cross that found Jalen Crisler who headed the ball into the goal, earning him his second goal in two matches.

Another opportunity presented itself before the end of the first half in which Bolanos was found over the top of the box. As he cut into the box to line up a shot, he was denied by the charging Tormenta goalkeeper.

The Kickers pushed for an insurance goal to start the second half, and, in the 59th minute, Owayne Gordon took a touch and beat the Tormenta defender before taking a shot from outside the 18-yard box. However, the shot would go just wide of the goal.

Tormenta responded to the pressure and found the equalizer in the 64th minute. Sterling received the ball close to the backline before playing into the box to Adrian Billhardt. The forward caught the ball with his left foot and put it on the inside of the left post.

The last opportunity for the Kickers presented itself with a run by another enterprising run from Ritchie. The fullback carried the ball into the box, beat his defender, and fired a shot on frame, forcing a deflecting save from Tormenta's keeper. The deflection landed at Ritchie's feet who took a follow-up shot but it went over the crossbar.

The Kickers stay at home for a match on Saturday, June 11 when they host Charlotte Independence on Military Appreciation Night. The first 500 fans in the gates will receive a limited-edition Kickers' camo hat. Tickets are available at richmondkickers.com/tickets. Doors open at 5 p.m. ahead of the 6:30 p.m. kickoff.

Stay up to date with the latest news from the Kickers at RichmondKickers.com and on the official team app.

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Jalen Crisler of the Richmond Kickers is greeted by teammates
Jalen Crisler of the Richmond Kickers is greeted by teammates
   



United Soccer League One Stories from June 4, 2022


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