Charlotte Eagles News Release -- www.charlotteeagles.com
Friday, May 20, 2011
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Charlotte Eagles were able to continue their winning streak in USL PRO by earning a 2-0 victory against Antigua Barracuda FC at Charlotte Christian Stadium on Friday night. The Eagles struck quickly when Diego Martins crossed the ball into the penalty area finding Darren Toby who headed it home in the 17th minute. The second goal was a strike by Allan Sanchez from 25 yards out in the 67th minute.
Friday's game was the first meeting between Antigua and Charlotte. With an 8 p.m. start and 936 in attendance the setting was perfect for a USL PRO soccer match.
The Eagles amost struck first in the sixth minute as a great cross from Jorge Herrera Led to a hard shot by Miguel Ferrer, only to be denied by Antigua goalkeeper Keita De Castro who made a great diving save. The Eagles continued to pressure as Herrera curled a free kick around the defensive wall, just missing the corner of the net.
The Eagles pressure finally told in the 17th minute when Martins found Toby in the penalty area with a perfect cross. Toby was able to place the ball into the far side of the net for the first goal of the match. Antigua tried to find an equalizer quickly, and Charlotte goalkeeper Eric Reed was tested when the Barracuda surged forward on a counter-attack in the 27th minute. Reed, making a huge dive, was able to push the ball wide.
The Eagles were able to get into a rhythm controlling the tempo of the first half, and weren't overly troubled either for the remained of the first half, or the start of the second. Coach Mark Steffens then made his first substitution of the second half, bringing on Sanchez for Diego Martins and in the 67th minute, Sanchez made his presence felt as he drove home a spectacular finish from 25 yards that earned him the Player of the Game honors.
The Eagles will try to extend their winning streak to three games next Saturday as they travel to face the Dayton Dutch Lions.