Charlotte Eagles News Release - www.charlotteeagles.com
Friday, August 2, 2013
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Richmond Kickers used a second-half goal from Joe Ngwenya to defeat the Charlotte Eagles 1-0 and extend their USL PRO-record unbeaten streak to 24 games. The Kickers improved to 13-0-9 and sit six points ahead Orlando City at the top of the table, while the Eagles dropped to 8-4-10 and sit in fifth place.
With the victory, Richmond clinched a place in the USL PRO postseason and guaranteed itself a home date in the first round.
The game’s first chance came from Charlotte’s Samuel Asante, whose shot traveled wide left in the 10th minute. Richmond enjoyed the balance of possession in the opening 15 minutes but was unable to convert.
Jorge Herrera came close to opening the scoring for the Eagles in the 27th minute, but his left-footed shot was inches wide of the Kickers goal. Richmond had a few chances from set pieces in the final 15 minutes, but the Eagles defense stood tough and held the game scoreless into halftime.
The second half started much like the first as both teams traded possession. Christian Meza came close to giving the Eagles the lead in the 59th minute, but his shot hit the outside netting of the goal.
Ngwenya scored the game’s lone goal in the 72nd minute as his header found the back of the net. Eagles goalkeeper Eric Reed was caught between coming out or staying in, and that hesitation allowed Ngwenya to finish his header.
Charlotte pressed hard for the equalizer in the final 25 minutes with center back Fejiro Okiomah moving up to play forward, but was unable to find the equalizer and the game ended 1-0.
“They’re a good team, there is a reason they’re undefeated,” Eagles Head Coach Mark Steffens said. “Richmond is a deep team with good depth and is fast and tall in the back, so it was tough to get behind them.”
The Eagles will travel to Harrisburg on Wednesday, August 7 before returning home to host Antigua Barracuda FC on Saturday, August 10.