Harrisburg City Islanders News Release-- www.cityislanders.com
Thursday, May 1, 2014
HARRISBURG, Pa. -- The Harrisburg City islanders will host the Charleston Battery on Friday night in a crucial USL PRO match-up. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET at the Skyline Sports Complex in Harrisburg. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m. ET.
The Islanders hope to build off their 2-1 victory against Sacramento Republic FC last Saturday night. Hughes Stadium was packed with an energetic crowd of a 20,231 fans, setting a USL PRO regular-season attendance record. Harrisburg started the match strongly when midfielder Robbie Dershang netted his first USL PRO goal in the fifth minute off a pass from Yann Ekra. Republic FC tied the match in the 32nd minute when Adam Jahn headed past Islanders goalkeeper Nick Noble. The Islanders broke the tie early in the second half when Morgan Langley drove through the Republic FC defense and ripped a shot past Republic goalkeeper Dominik Jakubek. The Islanders held on to claim their first win of the 2014 season, making their overall record 1-2-1.
The Battery come into Friday's match against the Islanders with an overall record of 0-2-4 after losing to the Rochester Rhinos 1-0 on Sunday afternoon in Rochester. The Battery are still looking for their first victory of the 2014 season. Watch for forwards Mamdou Diouf and Dane Kelly to come up big for the Battery against the Islanders. Both players have scored once this season, and will be looking help the Battery's attack break out of a cold streak that has seen the side score only once in its past four games.
Key players to watch for the Islanders in Fridays match include Langley, and midfielder Mathew Bahner. Both Langley and Bahner were selected to the USL PRO Team of the Week for their outstanding play in the Islanders' trip to California last weekend. Langley netted the game-winning goal in the Islanders victory against Republic FC on Saturday. The Hawaiian native has eight shots on the year and has recorded 348 minutes of playing time. While Bahner has not recorded a goal this season his outstanding defense and leadership has kept the Islanders close in every match. Cristhian Hernandez netted the Islanders' first goal of the season last Thursday in their match against the Orange County Blues. The talented young midfielder has used his agility and ball skills to weave through defenders and create scoring opportunities for the Islanders.
Friday's match between the City Islanders and Battery is set to continue a long-standing rivalry between the two teams, and both are hungry for a victory. In 2013 the clubs split their match-ups, both winning on the road. The Battery claimed a 2-1 victory in Harrisburg while the Islanders tallied a 2-1 victory in Charleston.
Fans can take advantage of the 4 for $ 44 offer. This deal includes four tickets, four slices of pizza and drinks as well as four applesauce's for $ 44. The first of five craft beer nights kick off this Friday with Sam Adams on special.
The City Islanders next match comes on Saturday, May 10 when they host Arizona United at the Skyline Sports Complex in Harrisburg. For tickets and information on Fridays match and all 2014 City Islander matches please visit CityIslanders.com or call us at 441-(GOAL).