Wednesday, July 24, 2013
HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Lucky Mkosana had a hat trick as the Harrisburg City Islanders took a 5-1 victory against the Dayton Dutch Lions at Skyline Sports Complex on Wednesday night. The win kept the City Islanders in third place in the USL PRO standings, moving within five points of second-placed Orlando City.
Mkosana had scored in each of the City Islanders' previous two games, and continued his scoring streak as he opened the scoring in the eighth minute. Jason Pelletier set up the opportunity, making a good pass that gave Mkosana the chance to finish into the left corner of the net. Only a few minutes later Mkosana found the back of the net again, but the referee called the goal offside.
The Dutch Lions were able to hit back in the 20th minute as a long free kick by Shintaro Harada found Tjeerd Westdijk in the penalty area, and the forward was able to finish for his sixth goal this season. Dayton had chances to take the lead following Westdijk's goal, but Coady Andrews had a strong game defensively for Harrisburg, snuffing out a pair of good opportunities.
Mkosana came close to restoring the City Islanders lead when he hit the crossbar, but Harrisburg would go back on top in first-half stoppage time as a good move set up a chance for Stephen Basso at the top of the penalty area, and the left back would fire home off the right post for a 2-1 halftime lead. The City Islanders then doubled their advantage in the opening minute of the second half as Mkosana put away a simple chance created by Matt Bahner.
Mkosana completed his hat trick on the hour-mark as he flicked home a header from a cross by Morgan Langley, and was soon substituted out. The City Islanders capped their victory in the final five minutes as Jimmy McLaughlin put away a chance set up by Aaron Wheeler inside the penalty area, giving McLaughlin his fifth goal of the season.
The City Islanders next hit the road to take on Phoenix FC on Wednesday, July 31 at 10:30 p.m. ET. The club's next home game is on Wednesday, August 7 at 7 p.m. when they take on the Charlotte Eagles. For information about the Harrisburg City Islanders visitwww.cityislanders.com or call (717) 441-GOAL.