USL NEWS RELEASE :: Monday, May 7, 2007
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Weekly Pro Honors announced
Saunders and Schofield named Players of the Week
TAMPA, FL - United Soccer Leagues announced the USL First Division and USL Second Division Teams of the Week for the third week of the season, honoring Puerto Rico's Josh Saunders and Harrisburg's David Schofield as the Players of the Week, respectively.
After giving up three goals to his former Portland Timbers side two weeks ago, Puerto Rico Islanders goalkeeper Josh Saunders has been perfect in goal with a pair of shutouts. The Islanders new netminder led the club to a scoreless draw in Carolina Saturday in a game in which they were outshot 21-7.
Saunders was called upon several times to make outstanding saves to preserve the shutout as his team was unable to find much offense. The RailHawks pressed matters down the stretch with a left-footed blast by Kupono Low that was saved and a header by Frankie Sanfilippo in the 80th minute that was deflected. He finished the match with six saves.
Trailing the Charlotte Eagles 2-1, the Harrisburg City Islanders came out for the second half minus their head coach, who was sent off in the final moments before the break. Midfielder David Schofield, however, stepped up with a pair of critical back-to-back assists two minutes apart to put the home side in the driver's seat of the match, which would finish 4-3 in favor of Harrisburg over the 2005 champion and 2006 league runners-up.
Scoring didn't open up again until the 68th minute when the Islanders mounted an aerial assault which saw Brian Ombiji knock home a brilliantly bent ball from Schofield.
The attack continued two minutes later when the hosts took a 3-2 lead off of another magical delivery from the foot of Schofield. This time his target was a lurking Steve Fisher, who nodded the service back across the Charlotte goal and off the post into the back of the net.
| USL First Division Team of the Week |
| | Pos | Name | Team | Highlights |
| * | G | Josh Saunders | Puerto Rico | Six saves in 0-0 draw at Carolina |
| | D | Steve Klein | Vancouver | Game-winner in 2-1 win at Minnesota |
| | D | Zach Scott | Seattle | Led team to 1-0 win over Portland |
| | D | Gabe Gervais | Montreal | Led team to 1-0 win at Miami |
| | D | Scott Palguta | Rochester | Equalizer in 1-1 draw against Vancouver |
| | M | Rodrigo Rios | Atlanta | Led team to 2-0 win over Carolina |
| | M | Gordon Chin | Charleston | Goal in 1-1 draw against Rochester |
| | M | Justin Moore | Atlanta | Goal in 2-0 win over Carolina |
| | M | Freddy Juarez | Minnesota | Goal in 2-1 loss to Vancouver |
| | F | Joey Gjertsen | Vancouver | Goal in 1-1 draw at Rochester |
| | F | Nathan Knox | Seattle | Goal in 1-0 win over Portland |
| USL Second Division Team of the Week |
| Pos | Name | Team | Highlights |
| G | Caleb Patterson | Cleveland | Nine saves in 4-0 win at CP Baltimore |
| D | Jay Willis | Western Mass | Equalizer in 1-1 draw against New Hampshire |
| D | James Greenslit | New Hampshire | Led team in 1-1 draw at Western Mass |
| D | Nathan Northup | Wilmington | Goal in 2-1 loss to Richmond |
| D | Tim Velten | Harrisburg | Game-winner in 4-3 win over Charlotte |
| M | Bret Jones | Cincinnati | Goal in 1-0 win at CP Baltimore |
| *M | David Schofield | Harrisburg | Two assists in 4-3 win over Charlotte |
| M | Adam Ruud | Charlotte | Two goals, assist in 4-3 loss at Harrisburg |
| F | Brian Ombiji | Harrisburg | Goal, assist in 4-3 win over Charlotte |
| F | Ricky Schramm | Richmond | Goal, assist in 2-1 win at Wilmington |
| F | Ian Leibbrandt | Cleveland | Goal, assist in 4-0 win at CP Baltimore |
* Players of the Week
USL Public Relations - Gerald Barnhart / Jason Minnick - Tampa, FL - 813.963.3909 - fax: 813.963.3807
Eagles' Next Home Game: Charlotte returns to home field action on May 11th for the first doubleheader evening with the Lady Eagles home opener preceding the Eagles match. The Lady Eagles open their season hosting the Atlanta Silverback Women at 5:30 pm. The Eagles game will follow at 8:00 pm hosting the rival Wilmington Hammerheads. May 11th is also Hometown Heroes Night when the Eagles will honor Charlotte's local heroes. CMPD, CFD, MEDIC, and the Boy and Girl Scouts of America will be on hand for the event. All CMPD, CFD, and MEDIC families receive FREE admission. The Charlotte Eagles will also be wearing their blue and black uniforms that night to honor our fallen officers.
Eagles' Ticket Information: Tickets for the May 11th match can be purchased at the gate; $10 for Adults and $7 for youth (6-18). Children 5 and under get in free. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.charlotteeagles.com. Fans buying tickets online prior to game day receive a $2 advance purchase discount for each ticket. Season Tickets are the best way to save with four packages available: Family Season Ticket Package, Individual Season Ticket package, Student Season Ticket Package and the Flex Pack (8 tickets).
Waddell Stadium: Waddell Stadium is the home stadium for all 2007 Eagles and Lady Eagles home games. It's located on the campus of E.E. Waddell High School, 1/2 mile West of I-77 on Nations Ford Rd. (Exit 4)
Charlotte Eagles Soccer, it's much more than a game!
