Wilmington Hammerheads News Release -- www.wilmingtonhammerheads.com
Friday, May 20, 2011
WILMINGTON, N.C. -- The Wilmington Hammerheads will be hosting their South Carolina rival, the Charleston Battery, on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Legion Stadium.
The Hammerheads and the Battery have played several friendly matches against each other in the past, along with a few U.S. Open Cup games. The two teams have always maintained a positive relationship with a “neighborly” sense of rivalry. Saturday night will mark the first game that the Hammerheads and the Battery have met in the same league and division.
Both teams have experienced wins in their 2011 USL PRO season. Out of the eight games that Charleston has played this season, they have come out with three wins, two ties, and three losses. Overall, Charleston has racked up eleven points and is currently sitting fourth in the American Division.
The Hammerheads, who have a winning record at home, have earned nine points in the four games that they have played thus far this season. Their only loss was against the undefeated Richmond Kickers at City Stadium in Richmond, Va.
Saturday’s match up will mark the first game of the Southern Derby Cup for the Wilmington Hammerheads. The Southern Derby Cup is a fan based cup competition between the three USL PRO teams in the Carolinas, the Wilmington Hammerheads, the Charleston Battery, and the Charlotte Eagles. This derby was created by the fans of the participating teams in order to encourage fans to travel to away matches.
The winner of the Southern Derby Cup is designated by the total number of points earned in matches against each participating team. The point system is three points for a win, one point for a tie, and zero points for a loss. The first edition of the Southern Derby was contested in 2000 between the Charleston Battery, the Atlanta Silverbacks, and the Raleigh Capital Express.
Being that the Hammerheads have made Legion Stadium a winning fortress so far this season, Charleston has no easy feat ahead of them; although, two out of the three Charleston wins have been on the road. With the level of talent and depth that both teams’ posses, along with the rivalry created by the close proximity of the two locations, Saturday night’s game will be sure to be a high-energy match in both the stands and on the field.
Ticket prices at Legion Stadium are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors 65+, and $6 for kids ages 4-12. Avoid lines at the stadium and purchase tickets online at www.wilmingtontickets.com.