USL Charlotte Independence

Strong Second Half Earns Independence 3-1 Victory in Harrisburg

Published on June 25, 2016 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charlotte Independence News Release


HARRISBURG, PA - The Charlotte Independence on Saturday afternoon used a three-goal second half to top the Harrisburg City Islanders 3-1 at FNB Field. The win is Charlotte's second straight and completes a season-sweep of the Islanders for 2016. The Independence also beat Harrisburg 2-1 at Ramblewood Stadium on April 2. Saturday afternoon's match originally was scheduled for Friday night, but had to be postponed to due to heavy rain and lightning in the area.

Harrisburg stole an early lead in the 10th minute. Craig Foster took a through ball past Independence defender Henry Kalungi to find himself one-on-one with goalkeeper John Berner. Berner came off the line and Foster faked a shot to beat the keeper before easily sending the ball into the back of the net.

The Independence had two key opportunities to get an equalizer in the first half, but Nick Noble deflected both. In the 23rd minute, David Estrada took a quick shot off a cross from Yann Ekra that was knocked away. Fifteen minutes later, Joel Johnson sent a cross from the right side back to Caleb Calvert. The forward fired his shot right on target but it was tipped over the crossbar by Noble, who finished the first half with five saves.

Charlotte carried their late first-half momentum into the second and brought pressure early. Islanders defender Shawn McLaws was called for a controversial handball in the box in the 52nd minute, setting up a penalty kick opportunity for the Independence. Enzo Martinez stepped up and nailed his shot to tie the game 1-1.

The go-ahead goal for Charlotte came just eight minutes later. Noble made an initial save on a Bilal Duckett header, but Estrada sent home the rebound for a 2-1 lead. Foster had an opportunity to tie the game with his second of the night in the 69th minute, but Berner scrambled to deflect the shot, earning him the Wells Fargo Save of the Game.

Things only got worse for Harrisburg, as defender James Thomas was shown a Red Card in the 77th minute for a foul on a Zach Pfeffer breakaway. The City Islanders were forced to finish the game with 10 men while trailing 2-1. Charlotte took advantage of the man-up, as Lewis Hilton was left wide open on the right side in the 86th minute. Brian Brown sent a cross from the middle of the box to Hilton and he easily buried the shot. The goal was Hilton's first as a professional.

The Independence (7-4-3) remain on the road for another week, traveling to Florida to face Orlando City B (5-6-3) on Saturday, July 2, at 7:30pm. It will be the second match between Charlotte and OCB this season. The Lions won the first meeting in Orlando 2-1. The Independence will return home to Ramblewood Stadium on July 9 to face Wilmington Hammerheads FC at 7:00pm.

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