Williamsburg Legacy 0 - 3 Cape Cod Crusaders
July 29, 2002
Busch Field, Williamsburg, Virginia – 7:00 pm Kickoff

Brief Summary
by Cape Cod Crusaders Website

The Cape Cod Crusaders (12-4-2) went into the play-off weekend undefeated in 9 games but still as underdogs as they finished second to the Vermont Voltage in the Northeast Division of the PDL. 

The Crusaders matched up against the Williamsburg Legacy (14-4-0) of the Mid-Atlantic Division on Friday night in St. Albans, Vermont, the home of the host Vermont Voltage.  

The game was a close fought affair and the Crusaders were lucky to go in at the half 0-0. The Crusaders took control in the second half with a goal by Scott Palguta off a Bryan Harkin cross in the 49^th minute. The Crusaders went on to dominate the second half and clinched the game with a goal by Nicola Chicco in the 89^th minute. 

The victory put the Crusaders through to the conference finals where they would meet the Raleigh CASL Elite who had defeated the host Vermont team 1-0

Williamsburg Legacy 3 - 1 Nashville Metros
July 20, 2002
Busch Field, Williamsburg, Virginia – 7:00 pm Kickoff

Brief Summary
by Tim Kassel   

The Williamsburg Legacy concluded their inaugural season Saturday night at Busch Field with a 3-1 win over the Nashville Metros.  With the win, the Legacy finish their first season with a perfect record at home and with a win moving into next week’s playoff matches.  3 different players scored goals for the Legacy in the win.  The Mid-Atlantic Division champions finish the regular season with a 14-4 record going a perfect 9-0 at home at Busch Field.

The rainy weather slowed play in the first half, resulting in each team having equal chances at their opponent’s goal.  In the first half Nashville finished with 8 shots and Williamsburg finished with 6.  Both teams missed opportunities to convert and the Legacy ended up striking first.  In the 31st minute Legacy midfielder Philip Hucles began a series of plays that resulted in the Legacy’s first goal.  Hucles dribbled into the box and ripped a shot off that ricocheted off several Nashville players before landing at the feet of forward Brannon Thomas.  Thomas passed the ball off to teammate Matt Pauls who shot the ball into the back of the Nashville net, stunning keeper Matt Renfro.  Renfro finished the game with 8 saves, 4 in each half.  Pauls almost got another goal just before halftime when he glanced an outside shot off the crossbar.

The half ended 1-0 in favor of the Legacy and the Legacy came out of the locker room determined to score more goals on the Nashville defense.  Nashville, who made no substitutions for the night, was not up to the task of defending Williamsburg’s offense.  The Nashville defense could not handle the Legacy’s deliberate long balls.  The Legacy went up 2-0 in the 51st minute when midfielder Kolby Runager received a long ball, dribbled into the box and passed the ball off to forward Brannon Thomas who slid in and slipped the ball into the Metros net. 

Nashville did not give up so easily however.  In the 61st minute, Nashville defender Igor Stjepic placed a shot over the outstretched hands of Legacy goalkeeper Noah Palmer pulling the Metros within 1.  That would be the Metros only goal; however, as Palmer denied the Nashville Metros on every other opportunity.  Palmer finished the game with 6 saves.

Second half substitution Bobby O’Brien, who’s first minute in the game resulted a big save by Nashville keeper Renfro, put the game beyond reach for the Metros in the 84th minute.  Legacy defender Milorad Djordjevic played a precise long ball through to Bobby O’Brien, beating the Nashville defense before chipping the keeper to score the Legacy’s third and final goal.

The Legacy travels to Vermont next week to take on the Cape Cod Crusaders in their first play-off match.  The winner of that game will face the winner of the Raleigh/Vermont game to decide who will go to the PDL’s final four. 

Williamsburg Legacy 2 - 1 Chesapeake Dragons – OT
July 17, 2002
Bowie University Stadium, Bowie, MD – 6:30 pm Kickoff

Brief Summary
by Chris Friant 

The Legacy traveled to Bowie, Md on Wednesday for a rescheduled game against the Chesapeake Dragons from Sunday that was postponed due to rain.

The Legacy came into the game having clinched the division with two games to spare and basically with one thing in mind.  Prepare for the playoffs.  Continue on a their role.  And give their reserve players a chance to get a game in and prove themselves worthy of making the playoff roster.

The Legacy roster consisted of only four regular starters (only two started), and only 8 of its 15 players have ever started for the Legacy during the season.  The Legacy starting line-up consisted of John Connelly in goal; starting in the back were Matt Hansen, Kolby Runager, and Spencer Long and Charlie Howe , a Williamsburg Soccer Club youth player, all getting their first Legacy action of the year.  In midfield, Bryan Wells, Phil Hucles, Brannon Thomas, and Jeff Skinner also making his first action of the year.  Starting up front was Bobby O’Brien and Nick Yannitello.  That left Noah Palmer, Matt Pauls, Pat Werner, and head coach Richard Butler as the substitutes.

Both teams started the game with much to prove.  The Dragons trying to prove that they were better than their 4-10 record and the Legacy trying to prove that they deserve to be in the traveling squad in 10 days.  The first half was end to end with both teams getting several great scoring chances but neither team could find the back of the net.  The Legacy, despite the new faces played the same as it has in each of its previous games.  They dominated the possession and created a couple one-two combinations that created scoring chances.  Jeff Skinner and Phil Hucles had great chances.  Both O’Brien and Yannitello proved more than capable of getting into the attack and Brannon Thomas did his normal tremendous job of securing the possession.  The attack of Bryan Wells and Kolby Runager getting in on the left side was as dangerous as it usually is.   But the defense, with two players getting their first playing time of the season and one player moving from the midfield to the defense, proved to be the players of the game.  Between them and goalkeeper John Connelly, they shut down a Chesapeake team whose one game plan was to go forward as fast as they could.  But, despite our possession and their direct attack, the score would end 0-0 at the half.

The Legacy started the second half with the same starters that started the game.  Tactically some positional changes were made, including Runager and Wells switching positions, overall the goals for the Legacy were the same.  Continue with the possession and continue with the hard work in the back.  But it was clear to see that those players who hadn’t played very much during season were running out of gas.  So with 10 minutes into the game two substitutes were made, with Pauls and Butler coming into the game.  Butler went up top, Pauls came into the center of midfield.  Hucles went to center back along side of Hansen and Yannitello went to right midfield.  Although the possession continued to be successful and improved with the substitutions, the Legacy continued to struggle in limiting the chances for the Dragons.  Several keys stops by the defense and by goalkeeper Connelly were able to keep the game scoreless until the Dragons scored in the 65th minute off a goal by Michael Millwood.

For about 10 minutes after giving up the goal, the Legacy looked susceptible to giving up the second.  Without some great play from Matt Hansen, several saves by Connelly, and a ball headed off the line by Spencer Long, the scored would have been easily 2-0.

But then the Legacy attack which had been missing for much of the second started to come alive.  The Legacy were able to create several decent scoring chances at this time.  And with which their chances are created the possession by the Legacy stated to dictate the flow of the game.  But time was starting to run out.  With two minutes remaining and it looking more and more like the Legacy was going to lose for the second time in three games, the Legacy created the quality chance that would equalize the game.  Matt Hansen played a brilliant ball 50 yard through ball to Bobby O’Brien who cut one way and then back towards the goal beating a defender along the way, leaving him one on one with the keeper.  O’Brien curled the ball into the bottom right hand side netting tying goal.  With the Dragons stunned regulation ended 1-1. 

Sudden death overtime loomed ahead.  Before the overtime started one sub had to take place.  With Jeff Skinner not able to go any further, a sub was needed.  The only remaining sub available was goalkeeper Noah Palmer.  Who went in and was positioned at right back.  And right from the whistle he was called into action; heading clear a great cross out of scoring danger just one minute into the overtime session.  Then 30 seconds later, from a free kick 25 yards out Phil Hucles, played in by Bryan Wells, got into some space on the left side and sent a cross, low and across the goal to the on-rushing Yannitello, who hit home the game winner on the volley.  So within a span of less than 4 minutes the Legacy went from looking at a 1-0 loss to a come from behind overtime win of 2-1.

That leaves the Legacy having now won 11 out of 12 and two straight.  Not a tremendous performance but with its goals accomplished of getting the reserves the playing time they deserved and a win to boot.  It was a great ending.

The Legacy take on the Nashville Metros on Saturday the 20th for the last regular season game and then it’s off to Vermont for the playoffs to take on Cape Cod in the first round.

Williamsburg Legacy 3 - 2 Raleigh CASL Elite
July 12, 2002
SAS Stadium, Raleigh, NC – 7:00 pm Kickoff

Click for Pictures

Brief Summary
by Chris Friant 

The Williamsburg Legacy clinched its first Mid-Atlantic Division Championship in its first year as a franchise in United Soccer League’s Premier Development League.

The Legacy came to Raleigh needing only a point to clinch at least a share of the championship.  After an outstanding performance at the beautiful SAS Stadium, the Legacy clinch the division title with a 3-2 win over second place Raleigh.

The Legacy started the game as they have every other game of the season, when only a tie would do they went after the win.  Playing its normal high pressure game the Legacy jumped all over the Elite by scoring two great goals within the first 10 minutes.  The first was scored off a great combination play between Carlos Garcia off an assist by Randi Ugarte, just six minutes into the game.  Only a minute and a half later the score was 2-0 when Ugartes shot off the post went in.  Brandon Thomas assisted the goal.  The Elite, with nothing to lose, already down two goals really went at the Legacy.  Creating several scoring chances but not able to beat the goalkeeping of Noah Palmer.  The Legacy had a chance in the 33rd minute to go up 3-0 when Carlos Garcia got in behind the Raleigh defense but their goalkeeper, Mitchell Watson,  on an outstanding play stopped the one on one breakaway.  Only moment’s later Donald McIntosh was able to score off a free kick to put the score at 2-1.  The half ended with both teams having scoring chances but the scored remained 2-1 at the half.

The Legacy came out exactly the same as the first half.  Playing clearly for the win.  Within the first 10 or 15 minutes the Legacy created 4 or 5 excellent opportunities but the Raleigh goalkeeper was able to keep the Elite in the game.   After several moments of end-to-end action that created chances for both teams, the Elite were able to get the equalizer.  Scoring in the 77th minute off a deflection that was put away by Trevor Perea.  But the Legacy was not to be denied their championship that they had worked so hard to achieve.  Within five minutes of having given up the lead the Legacy scored the deciding goal, that would lead to a 3-2 win.  Graham Albert scored what could be the goal of the year from a well placed  free kick from Carlos Garcia.  Albert made a run to the far post and Garcia crossed a ball perfectly to the on rushing Albert who drove home the goal acrobatically with his left foot.  For the remaining 13 minutes and also 3 full minutes of injury time the Legacy were able to control the ball and eliminate virtually any chance for the Elite to get the equalizer.

After a tremendous effort, that was typical of their performances all year long, the Legacy were able to clinch the championship with two games remaining in their inaugural.

The Legacy returns to action on Sunday when they travel to Bowie, Maryland to take on the Chesapeake Dragons.  They return to action at home on the 20th when they will take on the Nashville Metros in the season Finale. 

The Legacy will find out the location of their first round tournament game on Monday, with the Legacy traveling to Burlington, Vermont or back to Raleigh.

Williamsburg Legacy 1 - 3 Greenville D-3 Lions
July 7, 2002
Sirrine Stadium, Greenville, SC – 6:00 pm Kickoff

Brief Summary
by Chris Friant 

The Williamsburg Legacy came to Greenville on a roll, winning 9 games in a row; while scoring at least once in every game this year.  Unfortunately one of those streaks came to an end today.  The Greenville D-3 Lions having just been beaten by the Legacy PDL team two nights before came out with the determination to prove that they are professionals and were not going to lose again, especially in front of the home fans.  The result was a 3-1 win for the Lions but was not a true caption of the game that was very well played by the visiting Legacy.

The Legacy made their second of two trips to Greenville hoping to clinch a playoff spot for the first year PDL franchise.  Although the team lost tonight, they did in fact clinch the first playoff spot in conference.  By virtue of Richmond winning 2-0, but not scoring the third goal, to clinch the bonus point, it is mathematically impossible for Richmond to catch the Legacy in the playoff race.  Chesapeake and Greenville’s PDL team were already eliminated in prior weekends.  Raleigh, also, lost today to Greenville’s PDL side 5-3 thus remaining 5 points behind the Legacy and has one less game to play than the Legacy.  The playoff picture is becoming clearer with the Legacy needing only 6 points in their remaining three games to clinch first place in the division.  The top two teams from each PDL division advance to the conference final-four.

Although the game ended in a loss the boys from Williamsburg have a lot to be proud about going 1-1 for the weekend spitting its games with the professional side from Greenville.  Once again proving the Legacy can compete with anyone. 

The game began with the Lions pressing forward right from the start.  Applying pressure deep in the Legacy’s defensive third.  Not only did the boys face a team that tried to high-pressure them they also had to endure several nasty tackles and were out fouled by the Lions 17 to 9 for half.  But the officiating was superb and the Legacy got on with it.  The Lions pressure was hard for the boys to adjust to having played a game in less than 48 hours and enduring the uneventful 8 hour bus ride to Greenville.  After creating numerous chances that the Legacy was able to sustain they gave a way a corner in the 24^th minute that was scored by Lions for a 1-0 lead.  Although the Lions added even more pressure after scoring the goal the Legacy started to turn the tide.  With about 10 minutes left in the half the momentum was definitely starting to change.  For the last 10 minutes the Legacy created much more of a sustained possession and created a few decent scoring chances but virtually eliminated the high pressure from the Lions.  The half ended with the home side up 1-0 as the teams entered the locker room.

The second half started much the same as the first half had ended with the Legacy creating most of the offense.  The Legacy created three excellent scoring chances within the first 5 minutes but was denied by the Lions goalkeeper.  In the 53^rd minute Graham Albert seemingly scored a tremendous header but was denied by a questionable offside call.  Within two minutes the Legacy gave up the second goal of the game off a fluky play that was easily netted by the Lions.  A harmless clearance deflected right to a wide-open Lion forward that left Legacy goalkeeper Noah Palmer with no chance.  Just like that the score went from apparent 1-1 tie to a 2-0 deficit for the Legacy.

But the Legacy did not quit.   Within just two minutes of going down two goals the Legacy got one back on a break away goal by Carlos Garcia, his third of the weekend, off a great assist from Brannon Thomas.  For the next 30 minutes the Legacy dominated the possession and created some great chances.  Unfortunately they were kept at bay by the stingy home side.  With about 15 minutes to play the Legacy brought on the third attacker and really when at the Lions.  They created several numbers up scoring chances but could not break through for the equalizer.  With about three minutes remaining the Lions got their third goal of the evening on a counter after enduring 30 minutes of tremendous pressure by the visitors.  

Unfortunately the final whistle blew and the Legacy’s 9 game win streak was stopped.  But the Legacy did not go down without a fight.  The Legacy came to Greenville hoping to clinch a playoff berth by themselves but came away with the berth anyway.  The boys should be proud of their accomplishment knowing that the hard work and fight of the previous 9 games resulted in the Williamsburg Soccer Club’s first advancement into a national championship playoff. 

The Legacy next play second place Raleigh CASL Elite in Raleigh on July 12th at 7pm.  A win or a tie would secure a Mid Atlantic Division Championship.

Williamsburg Legacy 2 - 1 Greenville D-3 Lions
July 5, 2002
Busch Field, Williamsburg, VA – 7:00 pm Kickoff 

Click for Pictures

Brief Summary
by Tim Kassel 

Friday night at Busch Field, the Williamsburg Legacy continued their winning ways with a 2-1 victory over the D3 Greenville Lions.  Offensive firecracker Carlos Garcia scored his 11th and 12th goals of the season to lead the Legacy to an impressive 11-3 record and increase their winning streak to 9 games.   The Legacy has not lost since May 27 and looks to continue their streak in a rematch against the D3 Greenville Lions on Sunday July 7.

The Legacy got things going early in the opening minutes taking it right to the Lions.  Carlos Garcia crossed the ball into the box where stalwart defender Alex Brown trapped it and fired a shot into the arms of Greenville keeper Jukka Masalin.  The Legacy fired 15 shots at Masalin, who finished with 10 saves. Greenville got on the board first when Lions’ midfielder Matt Friel slipped one past Legacy goalkeeper Noah Palmer in the 10th minute.  The Lions provided pressure on the Legacy defense all game taking 11 shots.  Palmer finished with 10 saves on the day.

The Legacy almost got the equalizer in the 31st minute when defender Gonzalo Segares banged a shot off the Lions crossbar bouncing the ball off the goal line. Play went back and forth between the teams until the 45th minute when Segares and forward Brannon Thomas combined to break down the Lions’ defense.  Segares dished the ball to Garcia who buried a shot into the back of the Lions net.

The Legacy turned on the offense in the second half, only to be countered by the Lions.  Lions’ keeper Masalin turned away Brannon Thomas’ opening minute shot.  Carlos Garcia netted the game winner in the 56th minute on an intense effort to win the ball and beat the Lions defense.  Garcia beat two defenders and raced 50 yards down the left side of the field before slotting it past Masalin.

Several key plays in the second half deserve credit for helping to preserve the Legacy’s victory.  In the 84th minute, the Lions midfielder Carlos Silvera failed to convert a penalty kick, soaring one over the crossbar and into the woods behind Busch Field.  Legacy defender Alex Brown cleared a dangerous ball off the Legacy goal line in the 84th minute.  Brown’s clearance proved to be the final chance for the Lions to equalize and Garcia’s 56th minute goal proved to be the game winner. 

The Legacy travels to Greenville on Sunday to rematch against the Lions at 6:00. 

Williamsburg Legacy 4 - 1 Chesapeake Dragons
June 29, 2002
Busch Field, Williamsburg, VA – 7:00 pm Kickoff  

Brief Summary
by Tim Kassel 

After 74 scoreless minutes, the Williamsburg Legacy scored 4 straight goals to overpower the Chesapeake Dragons 4-1 at Busch Field on Saturday night.  In front of a record setting crowd, Kolby Runager and Graham Albert scored two goals each to lead the Legacy to a division best 10-3.  The Legacy remains undefeated at home, undefeated for the month of June, and have won 8 straight games.  

The Legacy peppered the Dragons' goal with shots during the first half.  For the game, the Legacy out shot Chesapeake 15-4.  In the 6th minute Legacy forward Carlos Garcia rocked a shot off the crossbar putting Chesapeake keeper Justin Gaul on his toes, where he would remain all night.  A couple minutes after Garcia’s blast, Legacy midfielder Matt Pauls faked by a defender, and let loose a shot that Gaul just barely tipped over the crossbar.  Gaul kept the Dragons competitive for most of the match, finishing with 9 saves. In the 33rd minute, Garcia combined with Randy Ugarte to glance a powerful shot off of Gaul, who kept the Legacy scoreless in the first half.   Chesapeake’s only significant chance of the first half came in the 26th minute which was confidently handled over the crossbar by Legacy keeper John Connelly, who was starting for the first time at home.   

The second half started much like the first with the Legacy providing intense pressure at the Dragon’s goal.  Gaul came up with his biggest save of the evening on a blast by Garcia in the opening moments of the second half.  Then, in the 74th minute, the Legacy opened the scoring.  Randy Ugarte sent a ball into the box which Legacy midfielder Kolby Runager settled and finessed past the Chesapeake keeper to give the Legacy the lead 1-0.    

Legacy midfielder Graham Albert scored his 5th goal of the season, off of another Ugarte assist, in the 82nd minute, sending an outside shot into the side netting of the Dragon_s goal.  3 minutes later, Runager scored again, dribbling the ball into the Dragon’s box and beating the keeper to the low outside post.  Garcia assisted Runager’s second goal of the night.  Not to be outdone, Albert netted another goal in the 90th minute off an assist from second half substitution Bryan Wells.  Chesapeake Dragon’s forward Kevon Harris managed to score in the 90th minute off an assist from teammate Bryan Walcott.  Harris’s goal proved to be inconsequential for the Legacy, who moved to 2-0 against the Dragons, winning convincingly 4-1.

The Legacy next takes on the Greenville Lions D3 professional team next Friday July 5 at 7:00 p.m.

Williamsburg Legacy 2 - 1 Northern VA Royals D-3
June 22, 2002
Forest Park High School, Prince William, VA – 7:30 pm Kickoff  

Brief Summary
by Chris Friant

The Williamsburg Legacy leaves Northern Virginia with its June winning streak intact, beating the D-3 Northern VA Royals 2-1.  The team has now won 7 games in a row all in the month of June, extending its record to 9-3 and still maintains its 11-point lead on second place CASL.

Although the team controlled most of the game its victory was not assured until the final whistle.  The Legacy scored first in the 18th minute on a goal by Brannon Thomas.  The goal was assisted by Kolby Runager after some great possession play in midfield sent the midfielder down the left side one on one who sent a crafty cross on to the chest of Thomas who then placed the ball into the back of the net.  The Legacy’s defense was again stifling allowing goalkeeper Noah Palmer to only touch the ball a couple of times with no true saves.  The midfield also worked tirelessly to maintain possession and disrupt the attack of the Royals.  The team also created several good scoring chances but never could find the second goal in the first half. 

The second half started much the same as the first half ended with the Legacy maintaining possession of the ball and creating some great scoring chances.  Unfortunately, the Legacy was unable to find the back of the net for the second goal.  By midway through the second half the Legacy should have been up by 3 or 4 goals.  Creating numerous chances while again keeping the Royals from testing the goalkeeping abilities of Palmer.  As the half went on the Royals started to surge ahead with more of an offensive attack; bringing on more forwards and taking more chances on goal.  At the same time the Legacy was tiring and finding it harder to maintain possession under their more intense pressure.  Finally in the 83rd minute the Royals found the equalizer   Scoring on a rebound after a Noah Palmer save, tying the score at 1-1.

The Legacy however was able to maintain their composure and began creating the chances to win the game.  In the final 6 or 7 minutes the Legacy again stepped up the defensive pressure not allowing the Royals to get the game-winner.  Then in the 88th minute substitute Nick Yannitello scored his first goal of the season off a great feed from Carlos Garcia.  The goal was the game winner allowing the Legacy to leave Northern Virginia with its win streak still intact and allowing the many fans who made the trek to the game to leave the game in good spirits.

The Legacy returns home next weekend for an encounter with Chesapeake Dragons on Saturday, June 29th at 7pm.

Forward Carlos Garcia’s two-goal performance and midfielder Graham Albert’s last minute goal powered the Williamsburg Legacy over the Raleigh CASL Elite 3-2 Saturday night at Busch Field.  With the victory, Williamsburg avenged an earlier 2-1 loss to Raleigh at the beginning of the season.  The highly physical match proved to be the Legacy’s sixth victory in a row improving their record to 8-3 and retaining the lead in the Mid-Atlantic division of the PDL.  

The Legacy went down 1-0 early in the 6th minute on a David Buehler goal with an assist by David Stokes.  CASL Elite forward Ryan Kneipper crossed the ball into the box where Stokes knocked it down to Buehler who beat Legacy keeper Noah Palmer with a low ball in the right corner.  Palmer finished the match with 2 saves.

The Legacy retaliated quickly and almost equalized it in the 13th minute.   On a restart, Garcia served the ball into the box which Legacy forward Phil Hucles teed up for Albert.  Albert let loose a powerful shot that glanced off CASL Elite goalkeeper Mitchell Watson that then bounced off the post and out of danger.  Watson finished the match with 1 save.  The match continued for the rest of the second half with the teams becoming more and more physical as the Legacy tried to equalize.

The Legacy tied the match 1-1 in at the end of the first half when Garcia netted an impressive free kick in the back of the Elite goal.  From about twenty yards out, Garcia lined up his shot and placed in the top left corner of the goal, just out of reach of keeper Watson. 

The second half took the momentum of the first half and moved forward with the tough play continuing back and forth between the teams.  Raleigh went up 2-1 on a goal by Stokes in the 63rd minute.  Stokes goal appeared to be the final goal until the final minutes of the game when the Legacy scored two unanswered goals.  

Garcia got his second goal of the night when Albert was pulled down in the box and the referee called a penalty kick on the CASL Elite.  Garcia slammed the ball home, giving Watson no chance to make a save tying the game at 2-2.  The game looked like it was going into overtime until Albert netted the game-winning goal off an assist from forward Brannon Thomas. 

The Legacy’s next game is versus the Northern Virginia Royals of the D3 professional league Saturday June 22 in Prince William.  The Legacy earlier beat the Royals 3-2 in overtime on June 7.

The Legacy leaves Greenville with a hard fought 1-0 win in a game that could have easily been 4-0.  Carlos Garcia scored in the 34th minute off an assist from Phil Hucles.  The defense led by Kris Feldman made the one goal lead stand up for the team’s second shutout of the year.  The win puts the Legacy again 7 points ahead in first place over the CASL Elite, who they take on at home on Saturday night.

The Legacy left for Greenville on Thursday afternoon for their seven-hour bus ride to South Carolina.  The team arrived at about 11pm and checked in and immediately went to bed in preparation for their game Friday evening.  The team arose for breakfast around 7:00 am gathering together to watch the USA’s third World Cup game against Poland.  Spirits were quickly dashed when the USA gave up two goals in the first six minutes.  However, the team’s spirits were just as quickly raised when South Korea scored to go up 1-0 on favored Portugal.  Cheers were heard throughout the hotel as the goal was scored giving the USA the chance for the backdoor advancement into the second round of the World Cup.  For the next 15 or 20 minutes everyone was on pins and needles as chance after chance was swatted away by the Korean defense.  Again the cheers of elation were heard when the final whistle was heard and the USA had managed to clinch that elusive berth into the second round.

After the game the team left for a morning workout in preparations for it’s own game.  The team found a flat of land just outside the monkey cages of the Greenville Zoo.  No kidding!  For the next hour the team did some light stretching and scrimmaging amongst the screaming of the baboons.  The team was loose but the training was spirited with some friendly competition and some claims of “cheating” by all; especially by coach Richard Butler’s side that always seemed to be on the winning side.

The team arrived at the field for its 5 o’clock game at around 3 pm.  After dressing in the quaint confines of its locker room that was still in construction as part of a $1.2 million dollar stadium renovation.  Conditions were not ideal but as true professionals the team got on with its preparations for the game.  They warmed up in its normal loose, but business like fashion.  The game was delayed shortly as the team waited on the host’s training staff but the game would begin without one.

Right from the start the Legacy went at the Greenville defense.  Several close scoring chances by forward Phil Hucles kept the sparse crowd (of 10) on the edge of their seats.  The Legacy kept pressing but could not break through for that first goal.  In the 22nd minute Hucles came the closest hitting the crossbar on a breakaway, but unfortunately did not go in.  Then in the 34th minute Carlos Garcia took a nifty through pass from Hucles to score the first and only goal of the game.  The play started from a great header clearance from Kris Feldmann.  Greenville never really created any dangerous changes but kept the Legacy at bay until halftime.

The second half started much the same as the first, with the Legacy putting the pressure on the Lions from the start.  After about the 10 to 15 minute mark the Legacy started to get a little impatient and started to lose their possession advantage.  For about 10 minutes the team started to take it on the chin but the Lions never could test first-time starter in the net, John Connelly.  After making a couple substitutions and tactical changes the team regrouped and went on the attack again.  The Lions came close to succumbing to the pressure.  Around the 75th minute the Legacy’s Graham Albert was taken down in the corner by the Lion goalkeeper, knocking Albert completely into the sponsorship signboards surrounding the field.  The referee however, awarded a goal kick when a sending off of the Lions goalkeeper was clearly deserved.  The Legacy did not loose their composure and for the next 15 minutes stymied the Lions to only one scoring chance that Connelly was able to deny with a great save.  For the last five minutes the Legacy were able to maintain possession and wait for the final whistle.  The final was 1-0 and the boys were ready to head home with their now 5 game win streak in hand.  They take on second place CASL on Saturday just 15 hours after returning from their 7-hour bus trip home.

The Williamsburg Legacy finished up their four game homestead without losing a single match at Busch Field, posting victories against the Wilmington Hammerheads, the Northern Virginia Royals, and the Richmond Kickers Future.  Phil Hucles scored two goals and had an assist to lead the Legacy to a 4-2 victory over the Richmond Kickers Future Saturday night at Busch Field.  With the win, the Legacy improved their record to 5-0 at home and 6-3 overall. 

Legacy goal scorer and forward Carlos Garcia scored his 7th goal of the season to start the scoring for the Legacy in the 22nd minute off an assist from forward Phil Hucles.  Play during the first half was pretty even between both teams, with each team firing off 6 shots on goal.  Legacy goalkeeper Noah Palmer, who finished with 8 saves, made 6 saves in the first half.  Richmond Kickers Future goalkeeper Tim Hogan had 4 saves in the first half, and also finished with 8 saves.  Both goalkeepers worked hard to keep the scoring to a minimum in the first half.

The second half began with complete Legacy domination.   On a restart, Legacy defender Alex Brown served a long ball into the box, which teammate Graham Albert deftly buried in the back of the Kickers Future net.  Two minutes later, Phil Hucles scored his first goal of the evening, off an assist from midfielder Randy Ugarte.

Kickers Future midfielder Jeff Hare scored on a Corey Greiner assist to close the margin to 3-1 in the 59th minute.  However, Hucles netted his second goal of the evening off of a spectacular bicycle kick cross from Gonzalo Segares to put the game beyond reach for the Kickers Future.   Kickers Future forward Matt Pilkington closed out the scoring in the 89th minute on a Jonathan Cole assist. 

Williamsburg Wins Again in Overtime

It took 104 minutes on Friday night for the Williamsburg Legacy to dispose of the D3 professional Northern Virginia Royals.  Kolby Runager netted the game winner midway through the second overtime, putting the Legacy up 3-2 over the Royals.  Legacy goalkeeper Noah Palmer and Royal keeper Matt Henson both made several fantastic saves to keep their respective teams in the game.  But it was Palmer who denied the Royals in overtime, and the Legacy took advantage of their offensive chances, pulling out the victory.  With the win, the Legacy moves to 5-3 on the season and the Royals fall to 1-8.

The first half saw the Legacy’s Kolby Runager and Carlos Garcia generating most of the offense, creating several chances.  Henson managed to make several saves in the first half to keep the Legacy off the scoreboard.  But the Legacy offense would not be denied and the Legacy scored first.

In the 27th minute, Runager crossed the ball to teammate Randy Ugarte, who nimbly beat a defender before slotting it past the Northern Virginia keeper, Matt Henson.   The Legacy increased their lead to 2-0 when forward Carlos Garcia stepped up in the 39th minute and sent a rocket shot into the back of the Royals net.  Forward Bobby O’Brien had the assist for Garcia’s powerful goal.  The Legacy appeared to have a clear lead, but the Royals were able to equalize in the second half.

Managing to be in the right place at the right time and being on the receiving end of some close calls from the referees, the Royals received two penalty kicks in the second half.  Royal midfielder Jose Maldonado converted the first penalty kick in the 60th minute and converted his second in the 71st minute, tying the game for his team.   The Royals had several big chances after their second goal but the seemingly invincible Palmer denied them repeatedly.  Palmer made an excellent save in the 87th minute on a shot by Royal midfielder Ricky Brown to keep the game tied.  The game remained scoreless at the end of regulation.

The first overtime period remained scoreless thanks to the play of the goalkeepers on each team.  In the 91st minute, Palmer, who finished with 7 seven saves, came up big again to keep the Legacy in the game.  Not to be outdone, Henson, who finished with 8 saves, made a difficult save on a shot by Legacy defender Milorad Djordjevic to keep the Legacy off the scoreboard in the first overtime. 

The second overtime went back and forth between the teams before the Legacy took control of the ball.  At the 104th minute Legacy forward Brannon Thomas whipped the ball into Runager who scored to net the Legacy’s second overtime victory of the season.      The Legacy next takes on the Richmond Kickers Future this Saturday June 8 at 7:00 p.m at Busch Field.  Gates open at 5:30.

Williamsburg Legacy 3 - 1 Wilmington Hammerheads D-3
June 1, 2002
Busch Field, Williamsburg, Virginia – 7:00 pm Kickoff

Nothing could stop the Williamsburg Legacy from winning on Saturday night not the weather, the referees or the Chesapeake Dragons.   The Legacy narrowly extinguished the Dragons 3-2 in a closely contested game that was put on hold because of lightening for 45 minutes in the second half. 

Defender Kris Feldman opened the scoring for the Legacy 10 minutes into the game with a well-placed header off an assist from Carlos Garcia on a restart.  Garcia later added a goal of his own at the 28^th minute off an assist from solid midfielder Kolby Runager, making the score 2-0.

The Dragons had their scoring opportunities as well and continued to put pressure on the Legacy defense all game.  Chesapeake’s Nino Marcantonio brought the Dragons to within 1 with his goal in the 39^th minute off an assist from Carl Gibbons.  However, this is as close as the Dragons would get.  The Dragons finished the game with 13 shots, but Legacy goalkeeper Noah Palmer soundly denied their offense the entire game, finishing the game with 11 saves. 

In the second half, the Legacy battled the weather as well as the Dragons.  With 35 minutes left in the game, the referees decided to hold the game until the lightening passed with the score 2-1.  45 minutes later play resumed and the Legacy continued to hold their dominance over the Dragons.  Substitution Bobby O’Brien provided the offensive firepower for the Legacy in the second half.  Coming in for Garcia in the 55^th minute, O’Brien proved to be more on fire than the Dragons.  In the 59^th minute, Legacy midfielder Graham Albert played an excellent ball behind the Dragons defense, which O’Brien put past goalkeeper Brian Rowland, who finished the game with 3 saves.  The Dragons closed the margin to within one in the 74^th minute on a penalty kick converted by Attila Vendegh; however, O’Brien’s goal proved to be the game winner. 

With the win, the Legacy moves to 2-1 in PDL play and to the top of the Mid-Atlantic Division.  The Legacy next goes up against the Richmond Kickers Future Monday May 27 in Richmond, Virginia.  Kickoff is set for noon. 

Legacy (4-4-2) Palmer, Butler, Marklin, Young, Terry, Runager, Albert, Dominguez, Pauls, Garcia, Myers, subs 2nd half were Howe and Hughes

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