Stoppage-time goal salvages point for Islanders
July 7, 2012 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release
HARRISBURG, Pa.- Despite a bout of bad weather, which delayed the start of the game by 72 minutes, 1,604 still stayed at a humid Skyline Sports Complex to watch the home town City Islanders play the Antigua Barracuda FC for the first time ever. They had to stay into stoppage time, however, to see Harrisburg score and even the game at one against a hungry Antigua team.
After hail, lightning and rain created a noisy prelude to the game, both teams came out focused when the action finally started. Each side looked to press early, showing some signs of restlessness in a physical first half. Antigua piled up six fouls, and Harrisburg added two of their own in a half of several slide tackles and high-speed collisions.
In the second minute, Harrisburg's Morgan Langley drove a right-footed shot from 25 yards out that was deflected over the crossbar by the outstretched hands of Antigua goalkeeper Molvin James. The Islanders' Drew Yates and Andrew Welker also put quality shots on net only to see them diverted by diving stops from the spry Antigua goalkeeper.
Thanks to James, the Barracuda were able to bide their time until breaking through in the 71st minute. Midfielder Matthew Aldred collected a ball that trickled out from a mass of players inside the eighteen and fired a shot into the fray. Harrisburg goalkeeper Nick Noble had the ensuing drive lined up until it took a deflection off of midfielder Jason Pelletier. The resulting redirection fooled Noble and provided the goal that looked like the deciding score in the tightly contested game.
But the City Islanders wouldn't quit. Upping their pace after the score, Harrisburg pushed forward looking to salvage points against last-place Antigua. In stoppage time, the breakthrough occurred as Sainey Touray dove for a long cross from fellow sub Colin Zizzi to the right of Antigua's net. Touray's header was the answer the Islanders were looking for all match long against the otherwise stellar James.
Antigua moves to 3-10-1 on the season, while Harrisburg goes to 6-4-5. The Barracuda will host the Los Angeles Blues twice over three days, with the first matchup occurring on July 12 at 4 p.m. in Tampa, Fla. The Islanders, meanwhile, will host the Dayton Dutch Lions FC for the second time this season next Friday at 6 p.m.
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United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 7, 2012
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