Wilmington Defeats LA for Second Win

May 18, 2013 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Wilmington Hammerheads FC News Release


Wilmington, NC - The Wilmington Hammerheads tallied their second win of the season Saturday night versus the Los Angeles Blues in a 2-1 victory at Legion Stadium. This was the second time the Hammerheads and Blues encountered this season, the last being on the West Coast when the Hammerheads traveled for their first road game of the season, returning home with a 4-0 loss.

With a total of five goals scored over their last six matches, the Hammerheads looked to compile opportunities to put shots on goal from the beginning of the game. The first Hammerheads goal of the night was from defender Jamel Wallace off an assist by fellow defender Uriah Bentick in the 16th minut e of play. As the half progressed, the Hammerheads maintained majority of the field as Blues midfielder Allan Russell collided with Hammerheads forward Kyle Greig at the top of the eighteen allowing a free kick in the 30th minute. Hammerheads midfielder Tom Parratt was close to increasing the lead by two when his attempt on the free kick grounded just outside the goal.

The second Hammerheads goal of the night came in the 40th minute by defender Daniel Steres off a cross from Parratt. The Blues tallied their first shot of their overall three during the entire match in the 45th minute of play from midfielder Gabriel Gonzalez, hoping to decrease their deficit as halftime approached.

Blues goalkeeper Steve Gonzalez kept the Hammerheads at a halt in the second half with a deflection on Daniel Roberts' attempt in the 83rd minute, allowing a corner kick from Wallace. The Blues decreased the Hammerheads lead down to one in the 86th minute after a scuffle in the box allowed for a penalty kick by Russell. Trying to predict which corner Russell would take on goal, Hammerheads goalkeeper Philip Tuttle took a dive to the left post as Russell went for the kick, putting the ball into the right corner of the net.

The Blues quickly attempted to keep possession as final time approached, however the Hammerheads were able to keep the ball on their end of the pitch after a breakaway run by Greig in the 88th minute caused for a one-on-one challenge with defender Matt Hall, only to be ended in a deflection out of bounds.

The Wilmington Hammerheads travel to Austin, Tx on Tuesday, May 21 to face the Austin Aztex (PDL) in the second round of the 2013 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Kick off is set for 7:30 p.m. at House Park. The winner of this match will advance to the third round and will take on MLS's Portland Timbers in Oregon on Tuesday, May 28.

Following the Hammerheads' match in Texas this week, they will travel to Florida for a doubleheader weekend versus Orlando City on Saturday and VSI Tampa Bay on Sunday.



United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 18, 2013


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