(Charlotte, NC) - The Charlotte Eagles hosted the Richmond Kickers tonight in the second leg of a back to back home-and-home series. Although playing much better tonight than last night in Richmond, the Eagles were defeated 3-1. Adam Ruud had the lone goal for Charlotte. Harding, Watson, and a Charlotte own-goal put Richmond on top.
The Charlotte Eagles looked to be taking the lead in the first minute of play. Off the kick off, Charlotte pushed the ball down field and played the ball to Jamal Sutton on the right side. Sutton hit a low hard shot from the top right corner of the 18 yard box. Richmond goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale made the save but the rebound came right out to Taurai Daka inside the six yard box. Daka shot the ball and hit the underside of the crossbar. The ball bounced down on the goal line and back out, giving Richmond the chance to clear it.
The Richmond Kickers finished their first quality chance in the 8th minute of play off a corner kick. The kick from the right side came in to Sasha Gorres. Gorres put a pass back to the top center of the 18 yard box for Evan Harding. Harding drilled a hard shot beating Eagles goalkeeper Terry Boss just inside the left post.
Adam Ruud scored the equalizer for Charlotte in the 26th minute. Ruud received the ball at midfield and rushed down the left sideline. He worked his way into the top left corner of the 18 yard box and beat his defender with a cut to the inside. Ruud fired a right footed shot to the lower right corner, beating the dive of Pascale for the goal.
The Eagles and Kickers finished off the first half tied at one goal a piece.
The Charlotte Eagles had a flurry of chances to take the lead in the 59th minute. Gregg Schroeder took a shot from the middle at about 20 yards out. The shot was deflected by the Richmond defense. Josh Rife recovered the ball inside the 18 yard box and tried to sneak the ball inside the right post, but Pascale made the save. The rebound came out to Taurai Daka, and like a replay of the first half, Daka's shot hit the underside of the crossbar before being cleared out by Richmond.
Richmond took back the lead in the 67th minute of play with a little help from Charlotte. Sasha Gorres served a ball into the middle from the left side, 40 yards out. Greg Schroeder came across attempting to make a defensive header, but the ball skimmed off his head and carried into the top right corner of the Charlotte Eagles goal for an own-goal.
Matt Watson scored his third goal in two nights against Charlotte in the 83rd minute to extend Richmond's lead to two goals. Watson collected a 50-50 ball in middle of the field and rushed toward the 18 yard box. Watson blasted a shot from the top of the box, beating Boss on the right side and putting Richmond up 3-1.
The match ended in a 3-1 loss for Charlotte, despite the Eagles outshooting Richmond 22-7. Charlotte Eagles head coached Mark Steffens was pleased with the Eagles performance overall, but somewhat dumbfounded by the continuing difficulty to capitalize on chances.
"We hit the crossbar from three yard, then again from four yards out. I just don't understand; something's up here. I'm proud of the guys because they played real well tonight, whereas last night we didn't. When you don't finish your chances against anyone in this league you're in trouble, especially against Richmond," said Steffens.
The Charlotte Eagles return to home field action next Saturday night during the Charlotte Eagles 15 th Anniversary Celebration. The Lady Eagles will kick off the evening at 5:30 pm in their last regular season home game hosting Fredericksburg, followed by the Charlotte Eagles pro match at 8:00pm. The Eagles will host rival Wilmington Hammerheads. In celebration of the Charlotte Eagles 15th Anniversary Season, all fans wearing a Charlotte Eagles jersey from one of the past 15 seasons will receive a FREE bag of Buckwild Kettlecorn.
July 17th - Charlotte Lady Eagles vs. Richmond Kickers Destiny
The Charlotte Lady Eagles will host the Richmond Kickers Destiny on Tuesday night, July 17 th at Waddell Stadium, 7:00pm. Come on out and cheer for the Lady Eagles in a solo game night all their own. Purchase tickets online at www.CharlotteEagles.com prior to gameday and get a $2.00 discount on each ticket
