Wilmington Hammerheads News Release -- www.wilmingtonhammerheads.com
Friday, April 29, 2011
WILMINGTON, N.C. – The Wilmington Hammerheads got a pair of late goals from Paul Nicholson and Alex Grendi on Friday night to notch a 3-1 victory against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, giving the Hammerheads two wins from two games in USL PRO at Legion Stadium.
The Hammerheads maintained possession early in the first half, managing four attempts on goal in the opening 20 minutes. The Riverhounds struggled to make their way into Hammerheads’ territory until late in the half with a forceful header from midfielder Sammy Appiah.
In the final seconds of the half, Hammerhead midfielder Luke Mulholland delivered one last strike on goal but was denied by goalkeeper Hunter Gilstrap to leave both teams scoreless at the half.
The second half opened with both teams battling to find the back of the net. The Hammerheads were finally able to take the lead when forward Andryi Budnyy fired home from Mulholland’s cross in the 55th minute.
The Riverhounds struggled to find their rhythm until the 79th minute when forward Jeremy Deighton scored to tie the game 1-1. But the Riverhounds’ celebration was short lived when midfielder Nicholson scored three minutes later to put the Hammerheads back on top. Grendi then added a third goal in stoppage time to seal the victory for the Hammerheads.
The Hammerheads will next face their first road game of the season as they travel to meet the Richmond Kickers on Saturday, May 7,at City Stadium for a 7 p.m. kickoff. The Riverhounds, meanwhile, will travel down the coast to meet the Charleston Battery on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. at Blackbaud Stadium.