Harrisburg City Islanders News Release - www.cityislanders.com
Saturday, June 13, 2009
HARRISBURG, PA -- The Harrisburg City Islanders (6-2-1, 19 points) maintained their first place ranking with a 3-0 win against the Bermuda Hogges (3-7-1, 10 points) on Saturday night. A sold out crowd of 2,391 watched as the City Islanders used three second half goals to remain undefeated at Skyline Sports Complex in 2009.
The City Islanders dominated the midfield in the first half of play. Tiyi Shipalane had little trouble slicing through the Hogges defense, recording three shots in the first 45 minutes.
However, despite taking 10 first half shots, the City Islanders failed to convert in their offensive third. Chad Severs’ narrowly missing far post effort in the 9th minute was the City Islanders’ only real scoring threat against Bermuda’s goalkeeper Nigel Burgess.
Harrisburg’s defense held its own, giving up only one shot. The Hogges best scoring chance came on a penalty kick in the 32nd minute. However, Omar Shakir’s shot sailed wide of the target.
Two yellow cards on the City Islanders (Harrison 33rd minute, Bloes 36th minute) capped a physical first half that featured 11 fouls.
Harrisburg’s scoring frustrations did not last long in the second half. In the 52nd minute Steve Fisher collected a pass from Nicki Paterson and turned on a dime, firing a low shot past a sprawled out Burgess. Two minutes later Jason Pelletier scored on a long range shot, assisted by second half substitute David Schofield.
In the 59th minute, Bermuda responded with its best chance of the game. Damon Ming fired a near post rocket towards the City Islander goal. However, Chase Harrison proved why he leads the league in wins with a fully extended diving save.
Despite a flurry of shots from the City Islanders, Burgess kept the ball out of the back of Bermuda’s net. In the 71st minute, Fisher’s point blank shot was kick saved away from the Hogges’ goal.
However, Harrisburg’s persistence paid off in the 82nd minute. Anthony Calvano, a second half substitute, floated the ball across the mouth of the net. Fisher slammed it home for his second goal of the game, and third of the season.
In the 85th minute, Harrison assured the shutout, punching Stephen Astwood’s shot over the crossbar.
Notes: The City Islanders remain undefeated at Skyline Spots Complex in 2009 (4-0-0)… The City Islanders have outscored their opponents 12-1 at home this season…Chase Harrison leads the league with 5 wins … Harrisburg’s next home game will be Tuesday, June 16 at 7:05 pm versus the Western Mass Pioneers in the second round of the US Open Cup.
