Puerto Rico Islanders News Release – www.prislandersfc.com
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
BAYAMON, PR — The Puerto Rico Islanders obtained an important victory on Tuesday night when they defeated the Carolina RailHawks 2-0 at Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium in a USL-1 matchup between two of the top three teams in the league.
The game started fairly slow as neither team was unable to get any consistent attacks on goal. Most of the first half was played in midfield, as both offenses were struggling to get into the opponent’s territory.
In the 33rd minute, the Islanders were close to scoring when forward Sean Fraser had a nice opportunity as he sent the ball over goalkeeper Caleb Patterson, but the ball went to the right of the outside post.
In minute 40, Jonathan Steele’s shot went just left of goalkeeper Patterson as Puerto Rico was starting to put some pressure on the RailHawks.
Again, the Islanders were very close to scoring when in minute 42, Marco Vélez could not convert on a header right in front of the goal.
The Islanders finished the first half the stronger of the two teams, but could not come up with anything in the goals department.
In the second half, the RailHawks came out more aggressive than in the first half and continuously started putting some pressure on goalkeeper Bill Gaudette and the Puerto Rico defense.
The game was getting a bit sloppy, but in minute 75, the referee made the biggest call of the game, a penalty kick for Puerto Rico, when Patterson brought Josh Hansen down in the goal area. Defensemen Cristian Arrieta took the shot and delivered for the Islanders as he converted the penalty kick to give Puerto Rico the lead.
Six minutes later, the Islanders gave the RailHawks the final blow of the game, when John Krause scored the final goal of the contest.
Carolina could not solve the Islander defense or goalkeeper Bill Gaudette as they were unable to score during the entire game. Puerto Rico defeated the RailHawks and jumped over them in the standings of USL-1.
