Harrisburg City Islanders News Release -- www.cityislanders.com
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
HARRISBURG, Pa. -- In Harrisburgh City Islanders rode two second-half goals to defeat the Long Island Rough Riders in the second round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at Skyline Sports Complex on Tuesday night. Yann Ekra and Brian Ombiji had the goals for the City Islanders, who will host Major League Soccer's New England Revolution in the third round of the tournament next Tuesday, May 29.
Though the score read 0-0 at halftime, the game was far from bland. Both teams had early chances as play was fast-paced and, at times, frantic. The City Islanders relied on possession and the excellent play of their midfield to organize their attack. J.T. Noone and Morgan Langley combined for three of the City Islanders’ six shots in the first half. In the 18th minute, Noone was sprung by a nifty through-ball by Drew Yates, and chipped it just wide of the right post. Langley’s shot four minutes later, off a back-heel pass from Ekra, required a diving stop from Rough Riders’ goalkeeper Thomas Booth.
While Booth played well, notching four saves on the night, he wasn’t able to stop the current USL PRO Player of the Week. Ekra, who was coming off a three-goal performance against Dayton on Saturday night, recorded another strong effort in his second start of the season. Despite starters Sainey Touray and Jason Pelletier sitting out due to various impediments – a red card in last year’s Open Cup for Touray and an undisclosed injury for Pelletier – Ekra was unperturbed as he registered his fifth goal of the season in the 47th minute. The lithe striker slipped behind two defenders and pocketed a right-footed volley from Morgan Langley to put the Islanders up 1-0. After Ombiji added a late goal in the 76th minute, the home team didn’t look back.
The Rough Riders upped the pressure after halftime, choosing to attack along the wings rather than try to traverse the Islanders’
midfield. The visitors’ refocused strategy created three shot attempts and four corners, often pushing the City Islanders’ defense deep to either side of goalkeeper Nick Noble. An aggressive venture forward from Noble in the 72nd elicited gasps from the home crowd, but their fears were quickly assuaged when the Long Island shot sailed high above the crossbar. Another shot from Rough Riders’
striker Keith Detelj in the 79th came close, but hit the right post.
The Rough Riders return to PDL play on Thursday when they welcome the Baltimore Bohemians to Cy Donnelly Stadium. Harrisburg’s next USL PRO contest will be against the Rochester Rhinos, who make the trip to Skyline Sports Complex on Friday. Game time is scheduled for 6 p.m.
The City Islanders will play the MLS’s New England Revolution in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday, May 29 at 7 p.m. – gates open at 5:30 p.m. – at Skyline Sports Complex. Tickets are $20 and go on sale on Wednesday. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 717-441-GOAL.