Denville, New Jersey – Taking a page out of the playbook of Team USA at the World Cup, the PDL Piranhas, came from behind and then held off their opponent to earn a much-needed win over the New Jersey Rangers 3-2 Friday night at Morris Catholic High School. The Piranhas (2-4-3) scored three unanswered goals and then held on to come home with three points in the standings.
The Piranhas have now come away with positive results in five of their last six games, including their exhibition win over the Royal Marines Football Association. The Rangers and Piranhas met on May 22 with the Rangers coming out on top 1-0 and will meet again July 10 at 8 p.m. at the Sportsplex.
The Rangers (5-4-0) opened the scoring in the 21st minute when New Jersey forward Dominic Reinold sent a diagonal cross into the Piranhas’ box straight to the feet of forward Samson Malijani who one-touched the ball into the net. Just seconds later, the Rangers almost went up 2-0 when Malijani returned the favor and sent a pass into Reinold who also netted his shot but the play was called offside.
The Piranhas pressed in the first half but were unable to come up with a score. Mamadou Kone almost pulled the Piranhas even near the end of the stanza but was called offside for the third time and the half ended 1-0.
In the second period, though, Hampton Roads came out with purpose and scored three unanswered goals beginning with Devin Pierce’s strike in the 53rd minute off a cross from Thomas Schmitt to even the score 1-1. Tyler Clare followed up ten minutes later when he found an open path to goal and took it at full speed. His initial shot deflected off the Ranger’s keeper Matt Gnall and Clare collected the rebound and dribbled it into the net. The third goal also came off the foot of Devin Pierce who took an unexpected shot from 30 yards out and beat Gnall flatfooted making the score 3-1.
The Rangers weren’t done though, when Dritan Sela scored in the 89th minute. The Piranhas were able to hold on and earn the win.
The Learning Rx Players of the Match were Devin Pierce for his two goals, Thomas Schmitt who assisted on the equalizer and Renato Barbosa who proved to be the catalyst for the attack in the second half.
The PDL squad will be home at the Sportsplex on Sunday, June 27, hosting the West Virginia Chaos at 5:30 p.m. Gates open at 4:30 p.m.
For more information on the Hampton Roads Piranhas, please call 757-226-9040 or visit www.hrpiranhas.com.
Scoring Summary 1 2 FT
Hampton Roads 0 3 3
New Jersey Rangers 1 1 2
New Jersey: Samson Malijani 27 (Dominic Reinold)
Hampton Roads: Devin Pierce 54 (Thomas Schmitt)
Hampton Roads: Tyler Clare 62 (unassisted)
Hampton Roads: Devin Pierce 70 (unassisted)
New Jersey: Dritan Sela 89 (unassisted)
Starting Lineups:
Hampton Roads: Tyler Benham, Tommy Webb, Robert Acosta, TJ Cyrus, Wilver Menacho, Bryan Iotte (Jordan Cyrus 68), Devin Pierce, Renato Barbosa, Tyler Clare, Mamadou Kone, Thomas Schmitt (Cody Merkes 81)
New Jersey: Matt Gnall, Phill Cunha, Jason Wells, Pedro Vilar, Alex Brito, Jason Gorskie, Alex Silver (Dritan Sela 56), Daniel Rasoilo (Samuel Petrone 67), Nick Whipple (Sergio Munoz 56), Samson Malijani, Dominic Reinold
Game Statistics
Shots: HRP 10, NJ 14; Saves: HRP 4, NJ 3; Fouls: HRP 15, NJ 8; Offsides: HRP 5, NJ 5; Corners: HRP 3, NJ 3; Cautions: HR (Tyler Clare 42, Thomas Schmitt 76); Ejections: None; Officials: Garry Beauliere, Hossam Saad, Matthew Wetzel; Attendance: 129.
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