Harrisburg City Islanders News Release -- www.cityislanders.com
Friday, June 8, 2012
HARRISBURG, Pa. -- The Harrisburg City Islanders (3-1-4) will welcome the Wilmington Hammerheads (3-3-3) to Skyline Sports Complex on Saturday at 7 p.m. Harrisburg has felled two MLS squads within the last two weeks, with both wins coming in overtime. On Tuesday night, the Islanders played stingy defense in stopping Kenny Cooper and the New York Red Bulls. Cooper played the entire 120 minutes and accumulated five shots, but did not add to his team-leading 11 goals.
Despite the Red Bulls’ 17 shots on goal, the Harrisburg backline stymied many more chances, poking away dangerous passes and throwing themselves in the line of fire to aid goalkeeper Nick Noble. Center backs Andrew Marshall and Tom Brandt controlled the action in the middle while outside backs Bilal Duckett and Stephen Basso each clocked 120 minutes of physical play on the flanks. Bottlenecking the New York attack, the Islanders were able to utilize quick counters to win 3-1.
Last Saturday, Wilmington staged an upset of its own against league-leading Orlando City (7-1-2). The Hammerheads’ Corey Hertzog, on loan from the New York Red Bulls, was dazzling in his home debut. Playing a role in all three of Wilmington’s goals, the 6-foot striker scored on both sides of halftime and added an assist in the 56th minute on a goal by Mark Briggs.
The Hammerheads’ strong play overall has Harrisburg coach Bill Becher carefully planning ahead.
“Wilmington is coming off a huge win against Orlando and they are right with us in the standings,” he said. “We need to put our best effort in if we expect to get the points on Saturday.”
Kickoff for Saturday’s game will take place at 7 p.m., with gates opening at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $14 for adults, $7 for youths and
$12 for senior tickets. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.cityislanders.com or call 717-441-GOAL.