Virginia Beach, Virginia –Despite their valiant efforts, the Hampton Roads Piranhas fell to the West Virginia Chaos by a two-goal margin with a final score of 2-0 on Sunday night at the Sportsplex.
It was a chess match to begin with. The PDL Piranhas came in with several changes, including Coach Leroi Wilson’s decision to run with a 3-5-2 formation instead of the normal 4-4-2. The squad eventually shifted into a 4-5-1. Also on the list of changes for the Piranhas were the players selected for the starting line-up.
The two sides took turns attacking in the opening minutes, using the flanks well. The Piranhas (2-4-3) had several opportunities early on by sending slicing through balls into the box; most of which missed just high or wide. And West Virginia had settled in using a very effective offside trap which caused five offside calls on Hampton Roads in the opening minutes.
West Virginia’s attack was dually threatening, as they forced Piranhas’ keeper Tyler Benham, to make two diving saves in the first ten minutes - a warning of things to come. Benham held a GAA of 1.551 and had 290 minutes under his belt prior to kick off Sunday night.
In the 22nd minute, the Chaos (1-7-0) found their way onto the score sheet when defender Justin Garton got on the end of a long ball played out of the midfield. Garton was able to use some footwork to beat a defender and then lay it off his left where fellow defender Adam Goldie was there for the finish.
The Piranhas trailed the Chaos 1-0 at half.
The organized back line of the Chaos continued to utilize the offside trap as their defensive weapon of choice. The Piranhas were caught off sides six times in the first half alone, and looked flustered, making their offensive runs in vain. Nevertheless, the chances were still there. The Piranhas had a few good opportunities at the start of the second half, including two free kicks and a Chaos clearance off the goal line but no one wearing the red and white could find the net.
In the 70th minute, a defensive challenge near the Piranhas’ box warranted a West Virginia free kick. Midfielder, Justin Clarke stepped up and played the ball to the near post. Jamie Davies was there to meet it with a flicking header. The ball found the net on the far post for a second goal, doubling the Chaos’ lead.
In the 76th minute, Chaos defender Marc Young was ejected from the match after receiving his second caution – this time for delay of game. His first yellow was for a serious foul in the 48th minute. West Virginia played the remainder of the match down a man.
The equalizer was well within the grasps of the Piranhas as they tried to place shot after shot with no result. Knowing that just one goal can change the whole game, it was a frustrating night for the Piranhas, who failed to capitalize on their advantages in both possession and numbers on the pitch.
The Piranhas will celebrate an “All American Turn Back the Clock Night” with 50₵ hot dogs, popcorn and bottled water when the PDL squad hosts the Bermuda Hogges on Friday, July 2 at 7:30 p.m. at the Sportsplex. And all fans will be eligible to win a membership to the Carefree Boat Club on West Great Neck Road in Virginia Beach.
For more information on the Hampton Roads Piranhas, please call 757-226-9040 or visit www.hrpiranhas.com.
Scoring Summary
1 2 F
Hampton Roads: 0 0 0
West Virginia: 1 1 2
West Virginia: Adam Goldie 22 (Justin Gartin)
West Virginia: Jamie Davies 70 (Justin Clark)
Starting Lineups:
Hampton Roads: Tyler Benham, Tommy Webb, Robert Acosta (Tom Van Dyck 82), Duda Diomande (Wilver Menacho 41), TJ Cyrus, Tommy Schmitt (Tyler Clare 56), Jordan Cyrus (Mamadou Kone 67), Brian Iotte (Charles Nweke 62), Devin Pierce (Cody Merkes 45), Renato Barbosa, Kevon Harris
West Virginia: Adam Mitchell, James Stapleton, Marc Young, Mile Dragisic, Jerry Tesh, Richard Johnson, Jamie Davies, Adam Goldie (Alex Ross 88), Justin Clark, Justin Garton (Joe Barber 35), Predrag Ivanovich
Statistics: Shots: HR 16, WVA 10; Saves: HR 3, WVA 5; Fouls: HR 19; WVA 10; Offsides: HR 9; WVA 4; Corners: HR 3; WVA 2; Cautions: HR (Daduda Diomande 41, Tommy Schmitt 55); WVA (Marc Young, 48, 76); Ejections: WVA (Marc Young 76); Penalty Kicks: None; Officials: Moo Hackett, Shaun Papperman, Florian deVries; Weather: Very hot, humid; Attendance: 262.
Aaron Zendejas
# # #
