Harrisburg City Islanders News Release -- www.cityislanders.com
Sunday, July 10, 2011
HARRISBURG, Pa. – The Harrisburg City Islanders battled a determined Dayton Dutch Lions side to a 2-2 draw on Sunday afternoon at the Skyline Sports Complex as Andrew Welker scored in second-half stopage time for Harrisburg (7-4-4) to earn his side a point.
The hosts nearly opened the scoring in the 11th minute, when Nelson Becerra beat Dayton keeper Brian Visser (two saves) to a ball outside the penalty area and put a header off the post. Four minutes later, Harrisburg striker Jose Angulo sent a blast high.
Having dodged those bullets, the Dutch Lions took the lead in the 17th minute. City Islanders center back Andrew Marshall’s header back to Tuttle came up short, allowing Dayton midfielder Eric Kissinger to pounce on the ball before sliding it under Tuttle for a 1-0 lead.
Tuttle was ready with sure hands in the 21st minute when Dayton’s Lucien Seymour tested him with a long effort from the right, setting the stage for Harrisburg to tie the match. The hosts drew level in the 27th minute, when Becerra’s right wing free kick somehow found its way through a crowded goalmouth and into the net. The teams were tied 1-1 at the half.
Neither side seemed ready to grab control of the match in the second half, the oppressive heat continuing to take its toll. Harrisburg had most of the possession, while Dayton’s counter-attack occasionally threatened.
In the 79th minute, though, the scrappy visitors broke through. A Dayton corner kick led to a frantic sequence in the penalty area: Joe Tait’s initial shot hit the crossbar and fell to Kolby LaCrone, whose rip was saved by Tuttle, who could only watch as Mettin Copier pounded the rebound past him for a 2-1 Dayton lead.
The City Islanders kept working, however. Tuttle made another fine save on a Seymour effort in the 87th minute to keep the City Islanders within striking distance. Then in stoppage time, Welker provided the tying goal. J.T. Noone lofted a cross from the left wing, finding Welker at the top right side of the penalty area. The midfielder settled and hit a perfect low drive that Visser could only lunge at in vain.
Having come from behind twice, Harrisburg nearly grabbed the win shortly thereafter, but Jordan Seabrook’s header found its way straight into Visser’s gloves.
Notes: Harrisburg extended their unbeaten streak to five games (3-0-2) … Welker has now scored five goals in the last four games…Harrisburg’s Brian Ombiji was red carded following the game … The City Islanders head south next weekend for road tilts against the Charlotte Eagles (Fri., July 15, 8 p.m.) and Wilmington Hammerheads (Sat., July 16, 7:30 p.m.) … The club will return home for two games the following week: Wednesday, July 20, against FC New York, and Saturday, July 23, versus the Los Angeles Blues. Kickoff for both games at Skyline will be 7 p.m.