June 9, 2009
The Hammerheads made their debut tonight for the 2009 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup against the Charlotte Eagles. The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is the oldest cup in United States soccer and is among the oldest in the world. Today is the start of the 96th annual U.S. Open Cup.
Kickoff was at 7:00pm and the first half started off a little bit slow. Later in the first half the game seemed to pick up. Hammerheads defender Tweety Walters was all over the place and made several spectacular tackles on the edge of the eighteen yard box. On the offensive side of the field forward Jamie Watson had some crafty foot work and took four of the five Hammerheads shots in the first half. The first half ended in a tie 0-0.
In the 64th minute Steve Shak for the Charlotte Eagles had a golden opportunity that pinged off the woodwork for a Hammerheads goal kick. This was as close as the Charlotte Eagles got the entire game. The Hammerheads seemed to have awakened after this close call and then they applied the pressure. In the 82nd minute Jamie Franks had the ball at the top of the box and sent a quick pass into the box to Jamie Watson who blasted the ball past the keeper for a Hammerheads goal. Then in extra time the Hammerheads mustered a second goal to seal the deal. Phil Hufstader scored an easy rebound off of Chris Murray’s blast toward goal. The Hammerheads won tonight’s game 2-0.
The Wilmington Hammerheads will now visit the Carolina Railhawks on Tuesday, June 16th for the second round of the US Open Cup.
