Hampton Roads Piranhas Press Release - www.hrpiranhas.com
Saturday, July 18
Norfolk, Virginia – The Hampton Roads Piranhas earned nine points in just five days and ended their 2009 season just a few points out of a playoff spot in the Mid-Atlantic Division. A total of five points separated the second, third and fourth place teams as the season ended with the Piranhas finishing fourth with a record of 8-5-3 and 27 points.
The Piranhas finished their campaign with their third win in a row, a hard-fought 3-2 duel with the Northern Virginia Royals.
The game started slowly with the teams feeling each other out. The Piranhas then lost three players to injury within the first 20 minutes causing head coach Jon Hall to use up all of his substitutions before the midway point of the first half. Eddie Floyd went out after eight minutes, Robbie Rogers after 15 minutes, and Michael Minai left the field just five minutes later.
In the 30th minute, the Piranhas, the Piranhas stepped up when midfielder Nicky Fogelsong put the red and white up 1-0 unassisted with a shot into the back left corner of the net. Five minutes later the Piranhas struck again to go 2-0 on a blast from midfielder Connor Smith from inside the six also unassisted.
The Royals pulled back within one in the 44th minute on a goal by their leading scorer Maurice Hughes and the first half ended 2-1 in favor of the home side.
In the 60th minute Hughes struck again in a scrum in front of goal. Piranhas’ keeper Ryan Zmuda was shielded from the ball giving Hughes an easy put in to tie the match. The Piranhas secured the win in the 70th minute when Nicky Fogelsong put a cross in front of goal giving Kyle Hartley an easy header to put the Piranhas back on top 3-2.
The Royals began to pressure and were frustrated after giving up the lead. Zmuda came up big late in the game with some big saves to assure the win.
Head coach Jon Hall was pleased after the match. “We are pleased to get this win. It’s been the story of our season,” he said. “We had to work hard for everything we’ve gotten and we did that again tonight.”
For more information about the Hampton Roads Piranhas please call 757-641-4460 or visit www.hrpiranhas.com.
