Virginia Beach, Virginia – Piranhas’ keeper Ryan Zmuda played the game of the year in goal for the PDL Piranhas Saturday night and earned a hard-fought 1-0 shutout against the Eastern Conference-leading Ironbound Express. And in the process, the Piranhas won their first home game of the season before a loud and supportive crowd at the Sportsplex. And there wasn’t a Vuvuzela in sight!
The Piranhas (3-6-3) are the only PDL team to hold a winning record against the Express (9-3-2) this season after tonight’s shutout. The teams met on June 3rd at Holmdel High School in New Jersey and the match ended in a 2-2 draw.
Hampton Roads forward Renato Barbosa scored the game’s only goal on a penalty kick awarded when teammate Mamadou Kone was tripped in the box by Express goalkeeper Ryan Meara in the 7th minute. Barbosa’s shot in the 8th minute of play hit just inside the right upright to take the Piranhas up 1-0. The goal was Barbosa’s second of the season.
The rest of the game was fast-paced and chippy throughout. The visitors seemed to lose patience as their increasing number of shots failed to reach their target, were blocked by the Piranhas resolute defense or were saved in outstanding plays by Zmuda. Three of the Express’ four cautions were handed out in the second half as time was running down. The Express outshot the Piranhas 19-6, 9-1 in the second half and the team still couldn’t score.
But it was the Piranhas who were penalized in the 85th minute when midfielder Wilver Menacho was given a questionable straight red card for tripping Express midfielder Frank Alesci. Hampton Roads survived playing the final five minutes of regulation plus four minutes of extra time a man down and were still able to hold the visitors scoreless.
“We fought hard and it’s nice to get a result after two disappointing losses,” said Piranhas head coach, Leroi Wilson. “Anytime you’re playing the number one team in the league, getting a win isn’t pretty. But our team battled hard and we grinded it out.”
The PDL Piranhas play again at the Sportsplex Wednesday night, July 14 at 7:30 p.m. against the Carolina Dynamo. The Piranhas will celebrate “Military Appreciation Night” with proceeds from the match going to the USO.
For more information on the Hampton Roads Piranhas, including camps, tickets, sponsorships or to volunteer, please call 757-226-9040 or visit www.hrpiranhas.com.
Scoring Summary
1 2 F
Hampton Roads 1 0 1
Ironbound Express 0 0 0
Hampton Roads: Renato Barbosa 8 (Penalty Kick)
Starting Lineups:
Hampton Roads: Ryan Zmuda, Cody Merkes, Robert Acosta (Jordan Cyrus 61), Thomas Webb, TJ Cyrus, Devin Pierce (Daduda Diomande 89), Wilver Menacho, Tyler Clare (Bryan Iotte 73), Renato Barbosa (Harry Gillespie 89), Tom Schmitt, Mamadou Kone (Jake Corliss 89)
Ironbound Express: Ryan Meara, Kaze Etiene (Michael Mazzullo 45), Ryle Grato, Arthur Kulkov, Andrew Kowopelsky, Robert Youhill, Kevin Meyer (Chris Dennen 72), Josh Trott, Frank Alesci, Joseph Ovenseri (Renan Rodrigues 73), Jerrod Laventure
Game Statistics:
Shots: HRP 6, IBE 19; Saves: HRP 4, IBE 1; Fouls: HRP 13, IBE 13; Offsides: HRP 1, IBE 1; Corners: HRP 1, IBE 5; Cautions: HRP (TJ Cyrus 66); IBE (Kaze Etiene 7, Kevin Meyer 45, Kyle Grato 57, Andrew Kowopelsky 81); Ejections: HRP (Wilver Menacho 85); IBE (None); Penalty kicks: HRP (Renato Barbosa 8), IBE (None); Attendance: 601; Officials: Jeff Davis, Roberto Furnish, Patrick Stephen; Weather: Clear, warm, humid.
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