Richmond Kickers Feature -- www.richmondkickers.com
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
RICHMOND, Va. – This Saturday marks the beginning of the end for one of Richmond’s greatest players as Richmond Kickers goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale plays his final regular season home game. The 13-year veteran will take the field at Richmond City Stadium one last time when the Kickers host the Harrisburg City Islanders in the 2012 regular season home finale at 7 p.m.
"Saturday’s game against Harrisburg is by far the most important game of the season for us as a team, and our focus has to be on performing to the best of our abilities,” said Pascale. “We know they are a great team who will battle for everything, and we must come ready to match that intensity.
“For me personally, it truly has been an amazing 13 years. I was extremely fortunate to have landed in Richmond, which is an incredible city with a top class organization and club with fantastic fans. City Stadium has become like a second home to me and my family, and it is bittersweet knowing that Saturday night will be my last regular season home game before I retire at the end of the season."
A franchise player in his 13th season with the Kickers, Pascale has played every minute of every game, conceding just 26 goals and posting seven shutouts so far during the 2012 campaign. Reaching the 300 games played mark on July 27, 2012, he has played more games than any other Kickers player in club history as the starting goalkeeper since 2002, logging over 27,000 minutes in a Kickers uniform.
“Ronnie has been a fantastic talent and wonderful ambassador for the Richmond Kickers,” said Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Head Coach and Director of Soccer. “He has had an unbelievable career and we are fortunate to have retained his services for such a long period of time. I know Ronnie wants to finish in style and we are all focused on making his final games in a Kickers jersey important ones.
“I want to encourage the Richmond community to attend Saturday night, not only to support the Kickers in our push for the playoffs but more importantly to honor Ronnie Pascale for his dedication, commitment and performances over 13 memorable years.”
Consistently one of the top netminders in the league, the three-time USL Goalkeeper of the Year backstopped the team to the USL PRO and U.S. Open Cup Semifinals in 2011, ending the campaign with a miniscule 0.960 goals against average in 30 games played. Shoring up one of the best defensive units in the league, the experienced goalkeeper led the back line to a career-best 11 shutouts in 2011, while allowing just 29 goals on the season.
Named Southern Conference Rookie of the Year in 1995, Pascale was a four-year starter at Furman University and was named to the Southern All-Conference team four times, Conference Goalkeeper of the year three times, and was twice named to the Second Team All-South. After his senior season, Pascale was named the Furman Male Athlete of the Year (1998/99).
Admission for Pascale’s last game is just $10 for the whole family before 6:00 p.m. as the Kickers and Union First Market Bank present FAMILY FEST. With a one-of-a-kind fun zone, presented by Bounce 2 the Moon, featuring the largest inflatable obstacle course in Central Virginia, train rides, petting zoo, inflatables and live music, fun is guaranteed for the whole family when the gates open at 4:00 p.m. Learn more at RichmondKickers.com.