Virginia Beach, Virginia – The PDL Piranhas were back in Virginia Beach Friday night to face the Northern Virginia Royals at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex in their 2010 home season finale, and ended their home campaign with an exciting last minute 2-2 draw.
The match was the first leg of a home and home series between the two teams – the final leg will be played Sunday at Hellwig Memorial Park in Dumphries, Virginia at 7 p.m. Sunday’s match will be the final game of the season for both teams.
The game was played in oppressive heat and humidity with the heat index sitting at 94 degrees at kickoff. The weather caused some slower play at the beginning of the match but things changed just a few minutes in. Northern Virginia took possession and made a lot of runs into their offensive third forcing Piranhas keeper Ryan Zmuda to make six strong saves in the first half off twelve shots. The Piranhas were forced back into a defensive mode and could only put three shots on frame in the first 45 minutes. The half ended scoreless
In the second period, the Piranhas came out running and in the 56th minute, Devin Pierce put the Piranhas up 1-0. Zmuda sent a great ball up the right side to Robert Acosta. A Piranhas shot caused Royals’ keeper Harry Lockwood to make a diving save which he then goal kicked back to Piranhas’ midfielder Wilver Menacho. Menacho sent the ball to Renato Barbosa who flicked it on to Harry Gillespie. Gillespie found midfielder Jake Corliss in the middle of the box but the Royals defense headed it away. Piranhas midfielder Tommy Webb headed the ball back in to Corliss to sent a beautiful cross into the box to Devin Pierce who’s shot hit the right post and into the net. It was Pierce’s third goal of the season.
The Piranhas’ lead held until the 74th minute when a Piranhas giveaway to Royals’ leading scorer Stanley Kaweesi resulted in a goal for Northern Virginia when Kaweesi ripped a shot off the far post and in. It was the first goal allowed by the Piranhas in three matches and Kaweesi’s sixth of the season. The Royals went up 2-1 in the 88th minute when second half substitutes A.J. Sheeta and Parker Walton combined for the leading goal.
With just two minutes plus stoppage time remaining, the Piranhas went to work and in the 89th minute almost earned a penalty kick when Charles Nweke was dragged down in the box by Royal’s keeper Harry Lockwood. Roberto Acosta sent a ball to Menacho who touched it ahead to Charles Nweke. Nweke found the right foot of Ian Holder in the box but Holder was dragged down by Lockwood. But the center referee whistled a foul on the Piranhas that negated the takedown.
But two minutes into stoppage time, the Piranhas earned the draw. Four Piranhas were coming into the area from the top, Charles Nweke, Thomas Webb, Ian Holder and Mamadou Kone. Webb sent in a service to Nweke but it was out of his reach and went straight to Holder. Holder tried to volley the ball with his right foot and the shot went right to Kone. Kone placed the ball neatly past Lockwood and into the back of the net.
The Piranhas travel to Dumphries, Virginal on Sunday to face Northern Virginia again in the second match of the home and home series. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
For more information on the 2010 or 2011Hampton Roads Piranhas, including sponsorships, tickets or to volunteer, please call 757-226-9040 or visit www.hrpiranhas.com.
Scoring Summary
1 2 F
Hampton Roads 0 2 2
No. Virginia 0 2 2
Hampton Roads: Devin Pierce 56 (Jake Corliss)
Northern Virginia: Stanley Kaweesi 74 (Unassisted)
Northern Virginia: Ahmed Sheta 88 (Parker Walton)
Hampton Roads: Mamadou Kone 90 (Ian Holder)
Starting lineups:
Hampton Roads: Ryan Zmuda, Robert Acosta, Wilver Menacho, Tommy Webb, Daduda Diomande (Mamadou Kone 80), Devin Pierce, Jake Corliss (Ian Holder 73), Cody Merkes, Renato Barbosa (Charles Nweke 85), Harry Gillespie, Richie Duffie (Bryan Iotte 73)
Northern Virginia: Harry Lockwood, Sean O’Reilly, Seth Goldman, Zachary Ward, Ronald Shaban (Alex Proctor 61), Michael Green, Grady Renfrow, Richard Edgar (Parker Walton 80), Stanley Kaweesi-Katongole, Kareen Sheta (Chris Thomas 58), Maurice Hughes (Ahmed Sheta 70)
Game Statistics:
Shots: HRP: 9, NVA 18; Saves: HRP 7, NVA 1; Fouls: HRP 9, NVA 9; Offsides: HRP 3, NVA 3; Corners: HRP 2, NVA 4; Cautions: HRP (Daduda Diomande 29, Jake Corliss 36); NVA (None); Ejections: None; Officials: Shawn Fitch, Robert Velbis, James Brooks; Attendance: 524; Weather: HOT, Humid.
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