(Bradenton, FL) - The Charlotte Lady Eagles wrapped up their two game Florida road trip tonight facing the Bradenton Athletics. Despite getting behind by two goals midway through the first half, the Lady Eagles came back to pull even at halftime and scored the winning goal five minutes before the final whistle.
The Lady Eagles pressured well and created some dangerous chances in the first 20 minutes, but is was Bradenton that got on the scoreboard first. In the 23rd minute the Athletics were on the counterattack. Stalzer cut the ball back and served it across to the top of the six yard box for Aden-Blue who connected with the cross and finished for the 1-0 lead. Stalzer added to her assist with a goal of her own in the 26th minute, extending the Bradenton lead to two.
Charlotte finally broke through and put one on the scoreboard a minute later. Nikki Lyons pushed down the left side of the field and took a shot to the far post from about 30 yards. Lyons' shot beat the Bradenton goalkeeper, slipping inside the right post.
The Lady Eagles tied up the score in the 33rd minute of play. Lydia Vandenbergh made a pass to Tina Murphy who beat her defender and pushed toward goal. Murphy hit a bending shot into the upper right corner for the equalizer. The first half ended at two goal a piece.
The second half of play was fairly even for both sides with pressure and scoring chances going back and forth, but the Lady Eagles scored the lone goal of the half. Julie Gailey set up the Lady Eagles' goal just five minutes before the final whistle. Gailey served the ball across to Ashley Swinehart. Swinehart hit it first time, scoring off the volley.
The Lady Eagles' next match is at home on June 16th at Waddell Stadium during Kick for the Cure Night. Kick for the Cure Night is an evening of Charlotte Eagles and Lady Eagles Soccer action dedicated to raising awareness of breast cancer and supporting the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Charlotte in breast cancer research. Gates will open at 5:00pm with the Lady Eagles match kicking off at 5:30pm followed by the Eagles match at 8:00pm.
The Charlotte Eagles and Lady Eagles players will be wearing special pink game jerseys which will be auctioned off after the games. All proceeds from the jersey auction and from the sale of special pink t-shirts will go to support Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Charlotte. The limited edition pink t-shirt will be sold throughout the remainder of the 2007 season.
Tickets for the June 16th Kick for the Cure Night can be purchased online or at the gate on the evening of the game. Tickets purchased prior to June 16 th at the Charlotte Eagles website will be sold at the advanced purchase $2 discount price of $8 for adults and $5 for youth (6-18). To purchase tickets online visit www.CharlotteEagles.com.
EAGLES SUFFER 1-0 LOSS TO CRYSTAL PALACE
(Annapolis, MD) - The Charlotte Eagles suffered a 1-0 loss at Crystal Palace Baltimore tonight. Charles Sheringham scored the lone goal of the match for Crystal Palace in the 9th minute to take the win.
It was a much different match than the season opener between Charlotte and Crystal Palace, when the Eagles were victorious, 4-1. This time out the Eagles seemed sluggish and off their game, while Crystal Palace had the better of the play, earning their second win of the season.
Crystal Palace Baltimore scored the lone goal of the match in the 9th minute. Andongcho Mbuta set up the goal pushing down the left side and past Eagles defender Ben Johnson to the endline. Mbuta drilled a line drive cross into the center. Mbuta's cross connected with Sheringham, deflecting off his hip and into the goal.
Crystal Palace was just the second team to hold Charlotte scoreless this season.
Charlotte 's next home game is a US Open Cup Round 1 match against Lynch's Irish Pub FC (USASA) on June 12th at UNC-Charlotte's TransAmerica Field. Tickets can be purchased at the Charlotte Eagles website at a $2 discount when purchased in advance. The winner of the match will advance to the second round of the tournament to face the winner of the Atlanta Silverbacks (USL-1) and Azurri match.
US Open Cup: The U.S. Open Cup, which is recognized as U.S. Soccer's National Championship, is an annual competition open to all amateur and professional soccer teams affiliated with U.S. Soccer. The tournament has crowned a champion for 93 consecutive years dating back to 1914.
