by Ranald Totten

 

Saturday, April 23, 2005

 

WILMINGTON, NC -- Early in the 2005 season the Wilmington Hammerheads are serving notice that they are a team to be reckoned with.

The Hammerheads defeated the Western Mass Pioneers 3-1 Saturday in the United Soccer Leagues Second Division action at Wilmington’s Legion Stadium. The win improved the Hammers record to 2-0-0 and catapulted the team into sole possession of first place.

Western Mass was coming off a 0-0 tie at Charlotte Friday night.

“We beat a good side,” said Wilmington Coach David Irving. “They’re very skilled. Any team that can tie Charlotte playing at home has got to be tough.”

Hammers team captain and center midfielder George Corrie agreed. “That was a massive win tonight,” he said. “These first few games are so important.”

For the second consecutive week, the Hammerheads played an outstanding first half, taking a 2-0 lead and a crucial psychological advantage into the locker room. And for the second straight game, striker Ryan Miller started the scoring when he found himself in a scrap with Pioneer goalkeeper Bryan O’Quinn. After O’Quinn bobbled a loose ball 10 yards from the net, Miller came up with it and hit a solid side volley into an empty net for a 1-0 lead in the 27th minute.

Eight minutes later Wilmington midfielder Kenny Bundy crossed a free kick from the left corner and Derek Popovic split two defenders to head it in for a 2-0 advantage. Soon after, midfielder Phil Hufstader made a speedy move up the right side, beat two defenders and just missed making it 3-0, hitting the left goalpost.

While the offense did early damage, it had help from a stingy defense led by Brady Bryant, who totally shut down talented and fleet footed Pioneers forward Omar McFarlane. Corrie managed the midfield to perfection with excellent ball control, precision passing and strategic playmaking.

Miller summed up the team’s first half performance this way: “At halftime, coach told us that was the best soccer he’s seen in the seven years he’s been here.”

Unfortunately, Wilmington was unable to keep up the pressure, beginning the second half under an ominous full moon, swirling winds, and sloppy play. “Unfortunately, we couldn’t keep up the level of play,” said Coach Irving. 

The Pioneers got within striking distance when defender Kyle Fletcher took a pass from the left side and headed it over Wilmington keeper Jordan James to make it 2-1 with 15 minutes to play.

James was crossed up on the play and allowed his first goal of the season. “I thought he was going to pass the ball. I got caught out too far,” he said. 

Fortunately for Wilmington, Junior Zarate made Coach Irving look like a genius. After Irving inserted the veteran forward into the game in the 78th minute, Zarate responded by picking up a ricochet in front of the goal and depositing it in the net for the game’s final margin.

“That’s Junior at his best,” said Coach Irving.

Wilmington puts its undefeated status on the line when the Hammers host the Harrisburg City Islanders Friday, April 29 at 7:30pm

Hammerheads-Up: Junior Zarate received a yellow card warning after removing his jersey in celebration of his first goal of the season … James Gledhill, who had a goal and two assists in Wilmington’s 3-0 win over Northern Virginia, sat out a one-game suspension after receiving a red card in last week’s win over Northern Virginia.