The Harrisburg City Islanders opened up their first-ever US Open Cup campaign with a convincing 4-0 win over Washington DC-based USASA club Aegean Hawks. After half-hour, play was stopped due to lightning in the area, and a delay of almost 90 minutes followed. When the game was allowed to continue just before 9:30 p.m., both teams played the remaining fifteen minutes and finished the first half scoreless.
Early in the second half, Aegean goalkeeper Anthony Perers stopped a 20-yard drive from Chad Severs, but failed to keep the Adam Clay header out of the net in the 56th minute, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead. The City Islanders tripled their lead by the 69th minute, on goals from Mo Odour and David Schoefield. The Hawks nearly pulled one back in the 82nd minute, when Watson Vaughan-Prather pounded a shot from the top of the penalty area, but was denied by goalkeeper Dave Kern. Harrisburg finished the game with a counter attack goal, scored by Steve Fisher from David Schofield’s centering pass.
With the win, Harrisburg will travel to face the PDL’s Ocean City Barons in the Second Round on June 26.
Scoring
(HCI) Adam Clay (David Schofield) 56’
(HCI) Mo Oduor (Ryan Pierce) 68’
(HCI) David Schofield Chad (Chad Severs) 69’
(HCI) Steve Fisher (David Schofield) 87’
Lineups
Aegean Hawks – Anthony Peters, Eddie Thurston, Ricardo Valverde, Nick McMorris, Trevor Martin, Michael Goldman, Justin Bodiya (Alex Nydal 70), Alan Golden (Robby Wright 69), Watson Vaughan-Prather, Rich Ryan (Andreas Nydal 67), Carlos Garcia (Geoff Thompson 69)
Harrisburg City Islanders – Dave Kern, Ryan Pierce, Dustin Bixler, Tim Velten (Mike Lookingland 67), Anthony Calvano, Chris Morman (Nate Baker 63), Mo Oduor, Adam Clay, David Schofield, Brian Ombiji (Matt Tanzini 60), Chad Severs (Steve Fisher 70)
Shots: AEG 3, HAR 17
Corners: AEG 7, HAR 7
Fouls: AEG 13, HAR 15
Cautions: AEG Bodiya 19’, HAR Morman 28’, HAR Velten 64’, HAR Pierce 67’
Goalkeepers: AEG Anthony Peters L, 0-1-0 (6 saves), HAR Dave Kern W, 1-0-0 (1 save)
Attendance: 874