Charlotte Eagles News Release - www.charlotteeagles.com

Friday, April 25, 2008

CHARLOTTE, NC -- The Charlotte Eagles hosted the Richmond Kickers tonight at Charlotte Christian's Restart Field, the Eagles new home field for the 2008 season. A win against Richmond is something that has eluded the Eagles over the past few years, but tonight Charlotte earned that victory with an exciting 3-0 shutout.

Dustin Swinehart scored his fifth goal in just two games. Jonah Long and Jorge Herrera each had fantastic goals of their own.

Jonah Long gave the Eagles an early lead in the 11th minute of play. Joseph Kabwe moved the ball down field and put it across to Dustin Swinehart on the right side. Swinehart dumped the ball back into the center for Jonah Long. Long controlled the ball, moved into space and fired a bullet shot from about 30 yards out. Long's shot beat Richmond Goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale just under the crossbar.

Long's goal was the only goal of the first half, but it was certainly a spark that gave Charlotte confidence throughout the match. Charlotte outshot Richmond 8-1 in the half.

The Richmond Kicker's came out strong at the start of the second half, hoping to score an equalizer. Richmond got their best chance about 5 minutes into the second half. Stanley Nyazamba took a shot from the middle of the field at the top of the box. Eagles goalkeeper Terry Boss made a beautiful diving save to stop the low driven shot and deflect it over the crossbar.

Charlotte extended its lead to two goals in the 58th minute of play on a penalty kick. Former Rickmond Kicker Robert Ssejjemba, while attacking the goal, was taken down in the penalty box by Chavez. Dustin Swinehart stepped up to take the penalty kick and scored with a perfectly placed shot in the bottom left corner.

Colombian Jorge Herrera put the Eagles up 3-0 in the 75th minute. Herrera got a fast break down the right side. With pressure hot on his heels Jorge sped toward goal and drilled a low shot just inside the left post, beating the dive of Pascale.

"Jorge Herrera finished a great shot. With really no angle he was still able to find the goal" commented Eagles coach Mark Steffens.

Eagles goalkeeper Terry Boss came up big one last time in the 85th minute with another save to preserve his shutout. Shots were more even in the second half as Richmond pressured for a goal. Richmond had ten shots to Charlotte's seven in the second half.

"This is a big win for us," said Steffens. "They're a good team, and they were missing a couple guys tonight, so they'll be better later in the season for sure. Our defense played well tonight. Steve Shak does a great job organizing those guys in the back, and we love the wider field. It helps us, no question."

Tonight's win extends the Eagles record to 2-0-0, and is the second shutout win for goalkeeper Terry Boss. The Eagles next two matches are on the road in Wilmington on May 3rd and in Harrisburg on May 10th. Charlotte returns to Restart Field for the next home game on Friday May 16th in a doubleheader with the Lady Eagles season opener kicking off at 5:30 pm.