Wilmington Claims First Victory

Published on April 30, 2012 under United Soccer League Championship (USL) News Release

WILMINGTON, N.C. - The Wilmington Hammerheads took their first victory of the season on Saturday night as Andriy Budnyy's first goal of the season proved the difference in a 1-0 win against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds at Legion Stadium.

The Hammerheads were on the front foot from the start, and hit the woodwork twice in the opening half. Their pressure paid off in the 45th minute as Budnyy, who had eight goals a season ago, finished off a chance just before the halftime whistle.

The Riverhounds tried to find an equalizer after the break, but were reduced to 10 men on the hour-mark as Rich Costanzo was sent off after an altercation in the Hammerheads' penalty area. Neither side was able to find the back of the net in the remaining half-hour, allowing Wilmington to hand the Riverhounds their second defeat in as many nights.

THURSDAY

ANTIGUA 3, CHARLOTTE 2: A pair of goals five minutes apart by Stefan Smith gave Antigua Barracuda FC victory against the Charlotte Eagles at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium as the home side was able to withstand a late flurry of chances for the Eagles.

After an end-to-end start, Antigua took the lead in the 12th minute when Matt Aldred picked up a half-cleared corner on the left and swung in a cross that Peter Byers flicked into the net for a 1-0 lead. Charlotte almost equalized immediately as Jorge Herrera's free kick came back off the left post, but the Eagles' playmaker wouldn't be denied eight minutes before halftime as his free kick from the left side dipped over the wall and into the left corner of the net.

The Eagles then almost took the lead early in the second half as new signing Daryl Roberts was first denied by Molvin James, with Nate Thornton finding the side netting on the rebound. But it was Antigua that would regain the lead 10 minutes into the second half through Smith, who rifled home a shot into the left corner of the net from 25 yards.

Smith would add his second five minutes later, taking advantage of a quick throw-in by Byers that put him in behind the Eagles' defense before finishing from 12 yards for his fourth goal of the season. Smith would have a chance to complete his hat trick, only to scuff his finish wide, and the Eagles pulled a goal back in the 78th minute as a good low cross from the right found Luke Williams for a back-post finish to cut the Barracudas' lead to 3-2.

The Eagles then had chances to equalize, with Williams shooting wide from close range and the Barracudas clearing an effort off the line, but Antigua was able to hold on late for its second victory of the season.

FRIDAY

CHARLESTON 1, PITTSBURGH 0: Nicki Paterson's first-half goal proved the difference as the Charleston Battery claimed their third victory of the USL PRO season against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds at Blackbaud Stadium.

The Battery opened quickly, and took the lead in the 10th minute as Paterson flicked home a header from Jose Cuevas' free kick to give his side the lead. The Battery remained on top for most of the remainder of the first half, but Riverhounds goalkeeper Hunter Gilstrap put in a sterling performance to keep the score 1-0 to the Battery at the halftime break.

The Riverhounds came out more brightly in the second half, and Nikola Katic went close to an equalizer from a corner, only to see his shot flash just wide of the post. Mike Seth also forced a good save from Battery goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra from distance. Charleston also showed promise, with new signing Navion Boyd going close to capping his debut with a goal, only to blaze a shot over the crossbar from inside the penalty area after beating his man.

Pittsburgh again came close with 15 minutes to play as Dykstra saved well to deny Rich Costanzo, as did the Battery, for whom Paterson almost had a second off a volley from a cross by Boyd. But the Riverhounds were unable to find an equalizer in the closing stages as the Battery earned their first home victory of the season.

SATURDAY

CHARLOTTE 2, ANTIGUA 0: The Charlotte Eagles picked up their first victory of the season as an early own goal and Daryl Roberts' first goal of the season game them victory against Antigua Barracuda FC at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

The Eagles took the lead in the sixth minute as Luke Blakely was the unlucky player to turn the ball into his own net, a cross from the left taking a wicked deflection as the defender tried to clear leaving goalkeeper Molvin James stranded.

The Eagles had the better of the game for the remainder of the half as they were able to stifle Antigua's forwards Peter Byers and Stefan Smith, and 12 minutes into the second half they doubled their lead. Roberts found a window of space on the left side of the penalty area, and his low near-post shot took a slight deflection on its way into the net.

The Barracudas had a chance to hit back immediately, as a handball in the Eagles' penalty area resulted in a penalty, but Smith blazed his shot over the crossbar, allowing Charlotte to hold its two-goal lead. It was the third penalty miss for the Barracudas this season.

ROCHESTER 1, DAYTON 0: The Rochester Rhinos claimed their third consecutive victory as JC Banks scored his second goal of the season to spoil the Dayton Dutch Lions' home opener at Careflight Stadium.

Neither side was able to produce much in the way of chances for the first hour, but Banks was able to take advantage of a defensive error in the 68th minute to open the scoring. The goal helped the game spring to life, and Rhinos goalkeeper Kristian Nicht had to be sharp to save a close-range effort in the final 10 minutes. Dayton's Gibson Bardsley also went close in stoppage time, his bicycle kick flashing over the crossbar.

The Rhinos have still yet to concede a goal in USL PRO this season, and now return to Sahlen's Stadium for their home opener Saturday against the Charlotte Eagles at 7:05 p.m. ET.

ORLANDO 0, RICHMOND 0: The Richmond Kickers brought an end to Orlando City's perfect start to the season, but were unable to claim their second victory at the Florida Citrus Bowl as the two teams finished scoreless.

Richmond had the better of the first half, with new signing Chris Agorsor almost opening his account for the club before he was forced off in the 30th minute. Orlando goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo was forced into an outstanding double-save on the striker as he broke in 1-on-1, denying the Kickers the lead.

Both sides had chances to break the deadlock in the second half, but both were forced to settle for a point as Ronnie Pascale recorded his first shutout of the season for the Kickers and Sean Kelley completed a scoreless 45 minutes for the Lions after being brought on at halftime after Gallardo suffered a reported concussion in the first half.

United Soccer League Championship Stories from April 30, 2012

• Zac Brown Band's 2nd Annual Southern Ground Music and Food Festival Saturday & Sunday, October 20-21 - Charleston Battery
• Wilmington Claims First Victory - USL

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