Following a 2-0 defeat at Wilmington Hammerheads in the regular season finale, the Kickers will visit Kentucky (Sunday, October 2 at 7pm) hoping to make an impression as the lottery of the playoffs be
Following a 2-0 defeat at Wilmington Hammerheads in the regular season finale, the Kickers will visit Kentucky (Sunday, October 2 at 7pm) hoping to make an impression as the lottery of the playoffs begins.
Leigh Cowlishaw’s men had their chances in North Carolina, but ultimately fell to two goals in either half as they ended the regular season in seventh.
Wilmington dangerman Matt Barnes-Homer put in a dangerous cross after just seven minutes, but nobody could get on the end of it, while down the other end, Eric Ati had to be alert to deny Brian Ownby from running through on goal just four minutes later.
A flurry of Hammerhead goalmouth action then occurred with Andrew Dykstra and his defense combining to keep out a goalmouth scramble in the 12th minute.
The Richmond shotstopper then made a superb double save in the 15th minute – preventing a close-range header shortly after turning a well-hit strike past the post.
But Dykstra couldn’t prevent that man Barnes-Homer from opening the scoring in the 17th minute. Another corner caused panic in the Richmond penalty box, and after Liam Miller attempted an overhead kick, Barnes-Homer stole in to head into the net from four yards.
Richmond played their best bit of soccer all evening in the 28th minute. Braeden Troyer galloped down the right, and sent in a near-post cross towards Brian Ownby, that Wilmington defender Bruno Perone did well to deal with.
Troyer was replaced by Alex Lee in the 34th minute after sustaining an injury, while for Wilmington, Kyle Parker was just off target with a 42nd minute effort.
Kickers’ head coach Leigh Cowlishaw made four substitutions at half-time. Michael Callahan, Connor Shanosky, Matthew Delicate, and Jason Yeisley all came onto the field in an attempt to reverse the scoreline.
The Kickers were on top at the start of the second half, but were hit by a sucker punch in the 64th minute when Michael Mecham fortuitously added a second goal.
Tom Parratt’s cross struck the foot of Hugh Roberts before rebounding off the grounded Mecham and trickling into the net.
Desperate for a route back into the game, Ownby then forced Ati into a save, before William Yomby headed Hugh Roberts’ long throw onto the post.
Justin Moose was then perhaps unfortunate to only receive a yellow card for a hard tackle on Miguel Aguillar as Kickers increased the pressure.
They couldn’t have come much close to scoring in the 72nd and 73rd minutes. Roberts’ hanging header was cleared off the line by Mecham, before Delicate saw his header powerfully strike the crossbar.
Parker then had a chance to finish the game for 3-0 after a flowing move, but Dykstra made a terrific save, while sub Jeff Michaud also arrowed an effort over late on as Wilmington gave themselves a good chance of making the playoffs.
Kickers will now turn their attentions to Louisville, as the playoffs are finally here.
Snag tickets to upcoming games through the Kicker’s official website here.
