USL PRO News Release
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
TAMPA, Fla. – USL PRO announced its Team of the Week for the eighth week of the 2012 season today, honoring Richmond Kickers goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale as Player of the Week after a standout weekend that saw him record 19 saves in a pair of games as the Kickers took four of a possible six points on the road.
Pascale had a standout performance in the Kickers’ Friday-night contest against the Harrisburg City Islanders. Making nine saves in wet and windy conditions, Pascale helped Richmond earn a point in a 1-1 draw. But it was his performance the following night, when the 13-year veteran made 10 stops to shut out the Rochester Rhinos at Sahlen’s Stadium, that saw Pascale at his best.
Pascale made three big saves late in the first half, including denying Tam McManus from a free kick, before a diving stop at full stretch on JC Banks in the second half kept the Rhinos scoreless. The 35-year-old, who has announced his retirement after this season, showed that he is getting ready to leave while still at the top of his game, while helping the Kickers move up to fourth place in the USL PRO standings.
Joining his Kickers teammate on the Team of the Week was defender Shane Johnson, who scored his first professional goal in Richmond’s 1-1 draw against Harrisburg on Friday night. Kickers midfielder Luke Vercollone was also honored after scoring the game-winning goal against the Rhinos while also putting in a strong two-way performance to help the Kickers take victory.
Other top contenders for Player of the Week honors included Wilmington’s Corey Hertzog, whose two goals and assist helped the Hammerheads hand Orlando City its first loss of the season, and Charleston’s Nicki Paterson, who had a pair of goals in the Battery’s 3-1 victory against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on Thursday night. Paterson also took the lead in the USL PRO scoring race with his brace, giving him five goals this season.
Hertzog was joined on the Team of the Week by Hammerheads teammate Mark Briggs, whose perfect first-time pass set up Hertzog’s opening goal before their roles were reversed for what proved to be the game-winner, Briggs volleying home Hertzog’s long throw-in.
In addition to Paterson, Charleston’s Colin Falvey and Dane Kelly were also named to the Team of the Week, with the Irish center back putting in two strong performances as the Battery moved into second place in the standings. Kelly recorded a goal and an assist in the Battery’s two victories to earn his place on the team.
USL PRO Team of the Week
| Pos | Player | Team | Highlights |
| GK | Ronnie Pascale | Richmond | Had 19 saves in two games, including 10-save shutout of Rhinos |
| D | Colin Falvey | Charleston | Played big role in pair of wins as Battery moved into second place |
| D | Shane Johnson | Richmond | Scored first professional goal in 1-1 draw with Harrisburg |
| D | George Kyriazis | Rochester | Put in strong performance despite Rhinos defeat to Kickers |
| M | Mark Briggs | Wilmington | Goal and assist as Hammerheads took win against Orlando |
| M | Nicki Paterson | Charleston | Pair of goals led Battery to victory against Riverhounds |
| M | Danny Earls | Rochester | Was consistently threatening, only to be turned away by Pascale |
| M | Luke Vercollone | Richmond | Scored game-winning goal as Kickers defeated Rhinos |
| F | Dane Kelly | Charleston | Had a goal and assist in Battery’s two victories over weekend |
| F | Corey Hertzog | Wilmington | Two goals and assist in home debut for Hammerheads |
| F | Garret Pettis | Harrisburg | Scored first pro goal to earn City Islanders draw vs. Kickers |
Honorable Mention – Charleston: Jose Cuevas; Dayton: Bret Jones, Gerrit-Jan Bartels; Harrisburg: Andrew Marshall, Jason Pelletier; Richmond: Nozomi Hiroyama, Gerson Dos Santos; Wilmington: Luke Holmes, Paul Nicholson.