Charlotte Eagles News Release -- www.charlotteeagles.com
Saturday, June 18, 2011
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Charlotte Eagles extended their unbeaten streak to seven games on Saturday night, six in USL PRO, as they downe the Dayton Dutch Lions in a 2-0 victory. Darren Toby scored the first goal in the 12th minute off a beautiful pass by Cheyne Roberts before Dayton was reduced to 10 men in the second half due to a red card incurred by Mettin Copier. Sallieu Bundu scored the second goal in the 80th minute off a cross from Brady Bryant.
After a late start due to rain, the game got underway at 8:25 p.m. The game was wide open for the first 10 minutes with Dayton causing the first scare just three minutes into the match. Eric Reed made a diving save breaking up a cluster of players just outside the goal mouth. The Eagles were able to find the net first in the ninth minute. Roberts created a great give-and-go to make his way past the Dayton defense, and he then sent a cross through to Toby who placed the ball just right of Dutch Lions goalkeeper Jesper Leerdam, putting the Eagles up 1-0.
The Eagles next chance came in the 12th minute from a set piece as Toby creatively chipped the ball over Dayton’s wall to Jorge Herrera who placed the ball just wide of the net. In the 27th minute Mettin Copier pulled down Allan Sanchez to receive the first caution of the game.
George Davis sent a rocket towards the Eagles’ net in the 29th minute creating the best chance of the first half for Dayton. Eric Reed made it just in time to punch the ball, keeping it out of the net.
Copier went after Sanchez again in the 42nd minute, which saw him sent off. At the half Dayton found themselves down by a goal and a man short.
The pace of the second half was much slower. The Eagles found themselves with the majority of the possession due to Dayton playing with only 10 men. In the 80th minute Bryant created the Eagles' second, dribbling through the Dayton defense before his cross found Bundu perfectly as he touched it in for a 2-0 advantage.
The Dutch Lions fought strongly, creating a few chances, but with only 10 men they fell to their fourth consecutive road loss in the league.
The Eagles will next travel to Wilmington on Tuesday night for the second round of the U.S. Open Cup. The game against the Hammerheads kicks off at 7:30 p.m. with the winner heading to face 2009 Major League Soccer champion Real Salt Lake in the third round.