Hampton Roads Piranhas Copryright 2012 05/17/2012 05/17/2012 www.hrpiranhas.com News from Hampton Roads Piranhas PDL Pranhas Fall Short to Bantams on the Road, 2-1 05/15/2012 12:54 PM http://www.hrpiranhas.com/home/626460.html May 12, 2012

VIRGINIA BEACH. VA -- On their opening night of the PDL 2012 season, the newly formed Palmetto FC Bantams reigned victorious over the Virginia Beach Piranhas in a clean, hard-fought 2-1 win. With a crowd of more than 1000 in attendance, Gustavo Cunha assisted on both goals finished by Ryan Freiburger and Luke Perry, with the Piranhas rallying through a goal from Jerjer Gibson.
After a back and forth opening 10 minutes, the match settled in as the Piranhas took hold of possession and had the early chances, most notably in the 23rd minute from a corner. But as the game progressed the Bantams exerted more control over the match and were rewarded with a free kick from Gustavo Cunha, drawn by Mike Mangotic. A neat cross from Cunha saw Piranhas’ goalkeeper Tyler Benham punch the ball into the air, leading to the first goal in Bantams history, headed home by Freiburger in the 32nd minute.
“It was an unfortunate loss,” said Piranhas assistant coach Rafael Mendivil. “The other team played a lot of counterattack and that was how they were able to score.”
 
The Bantams did not stop there, in the 38th minute Cunha dribbled past three defenders down the right flank, cutting inside to find Perry who slotted home from 15 yards into the bottom left corner. The Piranhas fought their way back into the game and were rewarded for their efforts. In the 45th minute a lofted ball over the top lead to a miscued back pass by the Bantams, resulting in an unassisted goal from Gibson, cutting the Bantams lead to 2-1 at the break.
The second half was loaded with chances for the Bantams, but none translated on the score sheet. In the 50th minute, a high lofted corner to the top of the box set up Cunha for a volley that was palmed away with a great save by Benham. In the 79th minute, Bantams’ defender Jack Kimber dribbled forward for a 30-yard blast into the top right corner, but Benham was there once again. The Bantams’ Lee Squires also failed to convert a one-on-one breakaway and had a header called back for offside. As the game crept to a close, and the Piranhas pressed to try and find a late equalizer, the Bantams’ defense was up to the task and closed out their first win in franchise history.
Overall, for the second match of the season, Mendivil says the performance by the Piranhas was very good. “The team is really coming together and bonding well.” With more practice and conditioning, he and head coach Cesar Rizzo anticipate the Piranhas to win future matches.
The Piranhas will remain on the road next weekend as they meet in-state rivals, the Fredericksburg Impact, on Saturday evening at 5:30 p.m. before facing the Northern Virginia Royals on Sunday evening at 5 p.m.
]]> http://www.hrpiranhas.com/home/626460.html 2012 Commonwealth Cup Details Announced 05/01/2012 10:37 AM http://www.hrpiranhas.com/home/621833.html April 30, 2012

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – With the start of the 2012 United Soccer Leagues (USL) season only days away, the three Virginia franchises confirmed today the continuance of the regional competition to determine the top men’s and women’s amateur teams in the state. The Virginia Beach, Fredericksburg and Northern Virginia W-League and Premier Development League teams will once again vie for the annual Commonwealth Cup title during the 2012 season.
 
In its inaugural season, the Virginia Beach Piranhas claimed a decisive state title by virtue of a 4-0-0 record in the W-League cup. The Northern Virginia Royals earned the PDL bragging rights, finishing 3-1 in the competition during their first playoff season in a decade.
 
Always a contender at all USL levels, the Virginia Beach Piranhas historically produce great teams from the Hampton Roads area and will certainly factor into an exciting state cup competition once again. Division champions in 2003 and 2004, head coach Wendy Waddell enters her fourth year with a determined and talented team looking to bring the the championship banner back to the beach in 2012.
 
The Northern Virginia Majestics (W-League) begin their 2012 campaign following numerous struggling seasons since making the playoffs in 2006. The Majestics will rely on a new coaching staff to re-key and energize the team into a state contender. The Royals (PDL) again take the field this summer under second-year head coach Richie Burke to improve upon their 10-5-1 mark in 2011.
 
The Fredericksburg Hotspur PDL side has been busy in the off-season, signing several high profile recruits to aid in their 2012 bid. Equally active on the women’s side, the Impact roster includes several signees from the Richmond collegiate area.
 
The cup champion from the PDL will be determined by results in both the six game home and away series between the three clubs. Due to an odd number of match-ups scheduled in the Atlantic Division, the W-League state title will utilize the scores from the first home and away series between each team. The USL tiebreaker ranked system would be implemented if a winner cannot be decided strictly from match result points.
 
The USL Premier Development League features 73 teams within four conferences across the United States and Canada. The PDL provides elite collegiate players the opportunity to taste a higher level of competition while maintaining their eligibility. In addition to league play, PDL teams compete in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup as well as various exhibitions. The USL Premier Development League has proven to be an important stepping stone for top professionals now playing throughout the world.
 
The first and longest-standing women’s league in North America, the W-League is USL’s highest level of women’s soccer in the United States and Canada. In addition to featuring international and professional stars, elite amateur players have the opportunity to compete on amateur teams in the league while maintaining their collegiate eligibility. The league is recognized throughout the world for providing superior competition for female players, while offering affordable family entertainment for fans across North America.
]]> http://www.hrpiranhas.com/home/621833.html World All-Star Soccer Camp is BACK 04/17/2012 01:06 PM http://www.hrpiranhas.com/home/614086.html World All-Star Soccer Camp is BACK! Kids age 4-18 can sign up now for 5 exciting days of Soccer, Sun & Celebrities. WASSC is the only local soccer camp featuring Olympic and World Cup players. Learn from the pros of your Piranhas & Norfolk SharX.

Norfolk camps start June 25, Virginia Beach camps start July 9, and Chesapeake camps start July 16.  Click HERE for details.

]]> http://www.hrpiranhas.com/home/614086.html 2012 Season Tickets Available NOW! 03/20/2012 12:49 PM http://www.hrpiranhas.com/home/610420.html  Virginia Beach Piranhas 2012 Season Tickets are available now.  Reserve your seat for all 14 W-League & PDL home matches and be a part of the excitement.  All home games will be played at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex - click HERE to order your tickets NOW!!

]]> http://www.hrpiranhas.com/home/610420.html 2012 Volunteer Opportunities 03/06/2012 12:20 PM http://www.hrpiranhas.com/home/311236.html The Virginia Beach Piranhas are looking for volunteers for the 2012 season.  If you are interested in the behind the scenes world of a sports franchise, we would love to have you join the Piranhas.  Minimum age to volunteer is 15. High school/college students looking for volunteer or intern hours are welcome, but we are not just for kids. Adults are needed and can work in the office as well as game day. Would you like to travel with the team? Team managers and assistants are also needed. If you would like more information please contact Lucy@hrpiranhas.com. 

 

]]> http://www.hrpiranhas.com/home/311236.html 2012 Volunteer Opportunities 03/06/2012 12:22 PM http://www.hrpiranhas.com/home/395925.html  
2011 Volunteer Opportunities
Come Swim With The Big Fish
 

The Virginia Beach Piranhas have numerous volunteer opportunities available for the 2012 season.  If you are a fan of the beautiful game of soccer or are interested in the behind the scenes world of a sports franchise, we would love to have you join the Piranhas.  Minimum age to volunteer is 15. High school and college students looking for volunteer or intern hours are welcome, but we are not just for kids. Adults are needed and can work in the office as well as game day. Would you like to travel with the team? Team managers and assistants are also needed.  Here are just some of the opportunities available:

Game Day Operations

Marketing

Media and Communications

Office Assistant

Volunteer Coordinator

Assistant Team Manger

For more information please contact Lucy@hrpiranhas.com 

 

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