Harrisburg City Islanders News Release - www.cityislanders.com

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

HARRISBURG, PA -- In a wet and muggy evening at Skyline Sports Complex, the Harrisburg City Islanders (9-6-2, 29 points) fell 1-0 to the Richmond Kickers (9-3-5, 32), their second home loss in a week. As a result of the defeat, the City Islanders fall to third place overall in the USL Second Division standings.

The weather for the evening varied between light and heavy rain, and, in the slippery weather conditions, Harrisburg was successful possessing the ball in the back third of the field.

However, they were unable to capitalize offensively. A free kick taken by Tiyi Shipalane in the 29th minute from 20 yards out curved toward the upper ninety before Richmond keeper Ronnie Pascale (4 saves) snared it.

Harrisburg built possession out of the back to earn another dangerous opportunity in the 39th minute when defender Geoff Bloes played a ball from the middle third of field to forward Steve Fisher. Fisher flicked the ball towards the net but his attempt was saved by Pasquale.

The first and only goal of the match came in the 41st minute when City Islander defender Dustin Bixler committed a foul near Harrisburg’s corner (and then handed a yellow card for dissent). Richmond defender Sascha Gorres stepped up to take the kick for Richmond and slipped the ball diagonally to the top of the goal box. The Kickers’ Ben Hunter took a one-time shot that slid past City Islander keeper Chase Harrison (4 saves) and into the top left netting.

At halftime the score remained 1-0 in Richmond’s favor.

In the 56th minute, an City Islander free kick was played through traffic in the box and City Islander Mo Oduor was able to get a head on it. The ball went soaring toward the upper left corner before being punched away by Richmond keeper Pascale.

Despite earning the majority of offensive opportunities in the second half, and out shooting their opponents 8-5 overall, Harrisburg was unable to earn a goal on the evening and the score and the end of 90 minutes was 1-0 Richmond.

Harrisburg’s next match is Sunday, August 2nd at Crystal Palace Baltimore. Their final regular season home match is scheduled for Friday, August 7th.