STRIKERS ACADEMY TEAMS WIN LOCAL DERBY
GAMES AGAINST RICHMOND KICKERS

Late Walden strike wins it for U-16’s; U-18’s team effort secures 3-1 win

After a 3 week break, the Strikers Academy players were eager to get back to conference action and improve their overall records.

Richmond Strikers U-16 Academy 2 – 1 Richmond Kickers U-16 Academy

The U16 team started their game at 12pm on Striker park field 2 against city rivals, Richmond Kickers. A good start to the game from the Strikers produced a couple of early chances: Nick Wright had a 20 yard volley that was stopped by a quality save from the Kickers goalkeeper. A few minutes later, Justin Pugh managed to break down the right flank and crossed the ball to Nick Wright whose touch lobbed the goalkeeper.

10th min: RSK 1-0 KIC

During the rest of the half, the Strikers created a series of chances from counter attacks but none found the back of net.

The beginning of the second half saw a determined Kickers team putting pressure on the ball which resulted in the Strikers defenders having to step back. Direct balls from both teams, at times, produced a very tight game with neither team creating much. From a Kickers free kick, a ball was served in the box, without being cleared, and ended up with a shot on the ground away from Strikers goalkeeper Billy Groben. RSK 1-1 KIC. The Strikers substitutions seemed to bring some energy to the orange attacks. Weber, Hayashi and Summers started to get the ball more in the final third and began to cause problems. It looked like the score would remain at 1-1, but with ten minutes to go, a fantastic 25 yard strike from left back David Walden surprised the goalkeeper who could only tip the powerful shot onto the inside of his post. Strikers kept the lead until the final whistle for the 2-1 win.

Richmond Strikers U-18 Academy 3 – 1 Richmond Kickers U-18 Academy

The U-18 Academy players took the field right after their younger counterparts. The U-18 Strikers Academy team, leading their conference with a 2-1-1 record, had all the intentions to follow the U-16’s. It did not take long for the U-18’s to make their mark: Co-captain Ben Anderson found striker Brian Ownby on the right hand side of the box with a lovely ball. Ownby took the ball in his stride and unleashed a vicious low shot across the keeper into the bottom corner of the net. 2nd min: RSK 1-0. Strikers continued their pressure and attacks on Kickers goal without being able to increase their lead. The Strikers enjoyed long spells of possession with Ben Anderson pulling the strings in the center along with midfield partner Robert Medairos. Ownby was a constant threat up front and the Kickers had a hard time containing him.

In the second half, Strikers had most of the play and managed to add a second goal at the 60th minute. Coming off the bench as a left midfielder, David Knause made a run down the left flank to receive a ball from Carlos Velazquez. Knause’s whipped in cross found Brian Ownby making a near post run. Brian’s firm side foot finish made it 2-0 to the Strikers. The intensity level of the game seemed to drop and not long after going 2-0 down, the Kickers got on the scoreboard. A swift counter attack ended with a break away and a good finish. 70th min: RSK 2-1 KIC.  Strikers immediately responded when Ownby’s looping header hit the woodwork. Once again, Strikers relied on players coming from the bench to increase their lead. With ten minutes to go, Brian Ownby produced a quick step over to beat his defender and hit a left footed shot across the goalkeeper which hit the post. Sam Schaffer was in the right position as he gobbled up the rebound and gave the Strikers a two goal advantage. Strikers continued to pressure the Kickers and nearly grabbed a fourth. The final whistle was blown and the Strikers won 3-1.

The Strikers Academy teams have a busy and important weekend ahead of them.  Both teams will be playing their second and final games against VA Rush (Saturday November 17 in Virginia Beach) and against Bridge FA (Sunday November 18 at Striker Park).