Holmdel, New Jersey – The PDL Piranhas (0-3-3) drove up I-95 this morning to meet the Ironbound Express (New Jersey) tonight at Holmdel High School and came away with a hard-fought 2-2 draw. Ironbound (4-0-1) had not allowed a goal this season.
Piranhas’ midfielder Brian Iotte put the Piranhas up in the 20th minute on a free kick from 20 yards following a foul on the Express. Iotte’s shot went straight through the Express’ wall and beat keeper Michael Drozd down the middle. The New Jersey squad came back six minutes later when midfielder Jeff Matteo scored off a rebound to tie the match at 1-1.
Hampton Roads took the lead again at the 32nd minute when Mamadou Kone gathered in a rebound off Drozd. Ari Dimas sent a shot on goal from the left side and Drozd made the save but mishandled the ball. Kone netted the resulting rebound and the first half ended 2-1.
New Jersey came out hard the second half and tied the match in the 69th minute on a goal by midfielder Frank Alesci. “They dominated the second half but we held our ground and grinded it out,” said Piranhas’ head coach Leroi Wilson. “We fought hard and it’s always nice to get a point on the road.” New Jersey outshot the Piranhas 14-11 for the match.
Hampton Roads visits the Central Jersey Spartans Friday night at The College of New Jersey Soccer Complex. Game time is 7:30 p.m. The Piranhas then travel to Carolina on June 12 and return home to the Sportsplex on June 19 for a rematch with Central Jersey at 5:30 p.m.
For more information about the Hampton Roads Piranhas, including tickets, sponsorships or to volunteer, please call 757-226-9040 or visit www.hrpiranhas.com
Scoring Summary 1 2 FT
Hampton Roads 2 0 2
Ironbound Express 1 1 2
Hampton Roads: Brian Iotte 20 (unassisted)
Ironbound Express: Jeff Matteo 26 (unassisted)
Hampton Roads: Mamadou Kone 32 (unassisted)
Ironbound Express: Frank Alesci 69 (unassisted)
Starting Lineups:
Hampton Roads: Tyler Benham, Tommy Webb, Rob Acosta, Wilver Menacho, TJ Cyrus, Renato Barbosa (Douda Kiomande 84), Devin Pierce (Brian Cunningham 79), Ari Dimas, Brian Iotte (Tom Van Dyke 73), Tom Schmitt (Austin Knight 66), Mamadou Kone
Ironbound Express: Michael Drozd, Kyle Grato, Kaze Etiene (Matia Damiani 40), Mohammed Mashriqui, Assaf Sheleg, Frank Alesci, A Kowopelsky, Mike Konikoff (John Sallhag 43), Jeff Matteo, Josh Trott, Jerrod Laventure
Game Statistics:
Shots: HRP 11, IBE: 14; Saves: HRP 7, IBE 3; Fouls: HRP 13, IBE 11; Offsides: HRP 1, IBE 1; Corners: HRP 3, IBE 2; Cautions: HRP (Bryan Iotte 1, Tommy Webb 90); IBE (Josh Trott 51, Jeff Matteo 87); Ejections: None; Officials: Gary Beavieri, Bart Ciesiak, Brian Weiss; Attendance: 328; Weather: Hot, humid.
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