The Eagles had previously defeated Montreal and Hershey and now try to defeat the defending A-league champs the Rochester Raging Rhinos. The game was being played for the second time this year at Transamerica Field on The University of Charlotte Campus.
So the battle between D3 Champs and A-League champs begins with Charlotte controlling the play but as for scoring they were unable to finish on two very good scoring chances.
The main difference the last couple of weeks has occurred on defense. Right now the Eagles are playing solid defense. They have a very good goalie in Dwayne Adams who makes acrobatic saves every game.
Then the defenders, Ben " Van Damn" Perry, Kevin "OB" O'Brien, Jose Correa, and Matt "Millzy" Miller are very solid. Perhaps the key to the defense is Midfielder Hugo Galeano. This 36 year old Colombian veteran knows the game and runs the show from the field.
OK, Back to the game. In the 32nd minute, Mark Pinch looped a corner kick into the box where Ryan put in a 6-yard header just under the crossbar. The half ended at 1-0 for the Eagles.
The second half was much the same with Rochester taking more shots and many of these were in desperation.
Final score Eagles 1 Rhinos 0 and the Eagles are now 3-0 versus the Northern Conference.
Stats EAGLES RHINOS
Shots 14 15
Saves 5 6
Fouls 12 8
Offsides 4 1
Corners 3 1
Caution Rhinos- Kirk Wilson
Eagles-Goalie Adams, Parry, Watkins,O'Brien,Galeano, Leib, Mouw (Norkus 72'), Garjarda (Sorzano 69'), Pinch ( Avilez 69'), Gomez (Johnson 65'), Correa ( Miller 82')
Rhinos- Goalie Vallow, Schweitzer, Dauda, Steenkamp, Sedgewick, Wilson, Zavala (Gervais 45'), Wolyneic (Tanner 45') Kirov (Kirmse 45'), Daligcon ( Mitchell 73'), Nash ( Annan 66')
Referees- Masil Tsapos
Daniel Burak
Jim Fahey
Eric Krajewski
Attendence- 1,656
EAGLEMAN OF THE MATCH- RYAN LEIB
Closing comment- The Rochester GM, Radio Annoucer and players were all gentleman and were very complimentry of everything especially the pitch which they felt was the best that they will play all season. The Eagles defense is looking very solid and when Dustin Swinehart returns this team is poised to make a run into the playoffs.
