Charlotte Eagles News Release -- www.charlotteeagles.com
Friday, June 24, 2011
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Charlotte Eagles won their fourth consecutive game at home beating the Pittsburgh Riverhounds 2-0 on Friday night at Charlotte Christian Stadium. Sallieu Bundu scored both goals in the first half, off assists from Ben Page and Greg Dalby. Charlotte goalkeeper Eric Reed had another successful shutout with a beautiful penalty kick save.
After a major shift in the Charlotte Eagles starting roster, it did not take long for the starting eleven to gel. Despite a few shaky moments the Eagles were first to pressure. The Riverhounds had their first chance of the game in the sixth minute as Reed was tested by a quick shot low to the ground.
The first 15 minutes proved to be much of a midfield battle until Page found Bundu with a dangerous cross through Pittsburgh’s box that allowed the forward to lunge at full stretch to connect on Page’s cross just tapping it past Hunter Gilstrap for the first goal of the night.
The Eagles pressed on to add to their early advantage, and found a few more great chances including Mark Bloom just missing a header wide of the net. But in the 23rd minute Bundu emulated his first goal with the same run through the box, this time finishing off a cross from Dalby to put his side 2-0 ahead.
An Eagles set piece just outside the box had all the makings for the third goal in the 35th minute as Diego Martins curved the ball beautifully around the wall, but the shot went just wide of the net. Pittsburgh had its best chance of the first half in the 39th minute when Shintaro Harada beat Reed, but put the ball just wide of the net.
The Eagles came out in the second half firing shots on the opposing goal but were unable to add to their lead. Pittsburgh answered with a great shot on goal that Reed was just able to handle to keep it out of the net. The Riverhounds were then awarded a penalty in the 68th minute after a trip in the Eagles penalty area by Josh Rife, but Jason Yeisley's low shot to Reed's right side was brilliantly saved by the goalkeeper.
Though the Eagles were up 2-0, the game really began to open up with 20 minutes to go. Pittsburgh, with a spark of life put together a few great possessions each resulting in shots picked up by Reed. Deep into the second half Steffens began relieving his starters with his typical starting group. The energy off the bench was too much for Pittsburgh.
Though Bundu had both goals in the match the Player of the Match was given to Reed with seven brilliant saves including his stop of Yeisley's penalty kick.
Charlotte, which is now undefeated in seven consecutive games in USL PRO, will now head out for a three-game road trip as they face the Harrisburg City Islanders next Saturday at the Skyline Sports Complex at 7 p.m. The Riverhounds will move on to face the Charleston Battery on Saturday night at Blackbaud Stadium at 7:30 p.m.