Wednesday, July 3, 2013
WILMINGTON, N.C. -- The Wilmington Hammerheads held the league leaders Orlando City Soccer Club at Legion Stadium on Wednesday night in a 2-2 draw. Hammerheads midfielder Daniel Steres added both goals for Wilmington to earn his side a point with Orlando and to remain undefeated at Legion for the last five matches.
Wilmington started the match with high intensity as forward Kyle Greig went in for a header in the sixth minute, only to have it trail directly into the hands of Orlando goalkeeper, Miguel Gallardo. Greig bounced back shortly thereafter as he tallied an assist onto Daniel Steres' first goal of the night in the eighth minute, putting the Hammerheads 1-0 over the Lions.
In his first appearance at Legion Stadium with the Hammerheads this season, forward Mickael Oliveira took several attempts on goal but was denied opportunities to find the back of the net. Oliveira had a big chance to give the Hammerheads an insurance goal four minutes after they had taken the lead as he beat Gallardo in the penalty area for shot, only to put his shot over the crossbar.
Orlando came close to equalizing off a free kick at the top of the penalty area from midfielder Adama Mbengue as the half began to close in, but was denied off a deflection from Hammerheads goalkeeper Troy Hernandez.
Orlando pulled level in the 66th minute off a goal by midfielder Jamie Watson. Orlando then took the lead the 79th minute as Mbengue got a body on the ball in a scuffle in front of the Wilmington goal.
The Hammerheads were able to pull even two minutes later as forward Cody Arnoux was taken down by Gallardo in the penalty area, resulting in a penalty kick by Steres that led to his second goal of the evening. Both sides had chances in the final 10 minutes to grab all three points, but both were forced to settle for a point as the game ended in a draw.
The Hammerheads will host the Harrisburg City Islanders at Legion Stadium on Saturday, July 6 for their second encounter of the season. For further information regarding the Wilmington Hammerheads, please contact (910) 777-2111 or visit online at www.wilmingtonhammerheads.com.