Eagles Clinch Playoff Berth with 3-2 Win

(Charlotte, NC) - UNC Charlotte graduate Adam Ruud scored the game winning goal tonight in the Eagles 3-2 victory over the Harrisburg City Islanders at Waddell Stadium.  Taurai Daka scored the first two goals for Charlotte.

Charlotte took the 1-0 lead in the 22nd minute of play.  The Eagles were sending heavy pressure into the Harrisburg penalty box.  Taurai Daka collected a loose ball in the middle, about 25 yards out and fired a shot back in.  The shot deflected off the Harrisburg defense and came back out to middle.  Daka was there again and was tripped up before getting a shot off.  Charlotte was awarded a free kick in the middle from 20 yards.  Taurai Daka took the kick and bent the shot over the wall and into the top left corner.

Taurai Daka extended the Charlotte lead to two, off another set piece in the 24th minute.  Charlotte was fouled on the far left side, deep in Harrisburg territory.  Gregg Schroeder took the free kick and found Daka about 8 yards out.  Daka flicked the ball into the goal with a header off the serve from Schroeder.

The Harrisburg City Islanders added one to the scoreboard in the 40th minute.  The Charlotte defense was whistled for a hand ball in the box, and Harrisburg was awarded a penalty kick.  Chad Sievers beat Daniel Benton on the penalty kick to cut the Charlotte lead in half.  The first half ended with Charlotte up 2-1.

The Charlotte Eagles continued to have the better of the play in the second half, but it was Harrisburg that scored the first goal of the half to pull even 2-2.  Frank Caruso scored on a counter attack in the 68th minute. 

Adam Ruud scored the game winning goal in the 78th minute of play, just one after entering the game.  Joseph Kabwe pushed down the right side on a break and served the ball across to the left where Ruud was all alone.  Ruud controlled the ball and placed a shot in the back of the net.  With the 3-2 win the Eagles have clinched a spot in the USL second division playoffs and have just two regular season games remaining.

Charlotte is on the road next weekend in Richmond for their last regular season away game on Saturday, August 5th.  The Eagles wrap up the regular season at home on August 11th hosting the Long Island Rough Riders at 7:00 pm.  August 11th is also a New Life 91.9 Summer Tour stop with a live post-game concert by Warren Barfield.  One ticket gets you into the game and the concert.  Fans can save $2.00 on each tickets by purchasing in advance by August 10th at the Eagles website www.CharlotteEagles.com or by calling the ticket line (704) 841-8644 x 32.