Wilmington Hammerheads News Release -- www.wilmingtonhammerheads.com
Saturday, June 4, 2011
WILMINGTON, N.C. – USL PRO leader Orlando City proved too much for the Wilmington Hammerheads on Saturday night as they rode two second-half goals to a 4-2 victory against the Hammerheads at Legion Stadium. Losing their undefeated home record, the Hammerheads dropped to 4-2-2 in the league while the Lions moved to 8-1-3.
Orlando attacked early on with a shot on goal in the opening two minutes of the first half. Both teams pressured each end of the pitch but the Hammerheads got in gear with a series of four shots starting in the 19th minute.
The Hammerheads would take the lead in the 31st minute after the side launched three shots on goal from midfielder Alex Grendi, midfielder Luke Mulholland and finally forward Andres Cuero, who would not be denied as he tucked away his shot, low and hard, into the back of the net. Minutes later Wilmington goalkeeper Brock Duckworth came off his line to save a dangerous deflection, only for the ball to drop to when Orlando midfielder Kevin Molino, who found Jamie Watson to score into the open net, tying the game in the 41st minute.
The Hammerheads regained the lead quickly as three minutes later forward Chris Banks trapped the ball and pushed one past Orlando City goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo to give Wilmington a 2-1 halftime lead. But minutes into the second half the Hammerheads committed a foul in the penalty area allowing Watson to score his second of the game on a penalty kick and tie the game again.
The Hammerheads struggled to find their rhythm after the break and in the 64th minute Orlando defender Demar Stewart scored, giving the Lions their first lead of the game. They then close the game out in the 90th minute when Maxwell Griffin fired a hard shot to the net to deliver a 4-2 lead. Hammerheads defender Ivan Becerra delivered one last effort for Wilmington but it ricocheted off the near post.
The Hammerheads will play to host the Pittsburgh Riverhounds at Legion Stadium on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. Also next Friday, Orlando City will take on the Antigua Barracuda in a 7:35 p.m. match at the Florida Citrus Bowl.