CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A goal in either half saw the Charlotte Eagles take a 2-0 victory against the Wilmington Hammerheads on Saturday night at the Queens Sports Complex. Goals by Ben Newnam and Jorge Herrera allowed the Eagles to take back-to-back victories for the first time this season and give a big boost to their postseason hopes.
Both teams had chances in the first 15 minutes as Charlotte goalkeeper Alec Kann was forced into a diving save on a Wilmington cross. In the 12th minutes, Herrera’s free kick from the top of the Hammerhead penalty area struck the crossbar as the game remained scoreless.
Kann was forced into action again shortly after as an errant back-pass forced the Eagles goalkeeper into a sliding challenge to clear the ball out of danger. The Eagles opened the scoring in the 26th minute, however, as Newnam recorded his second goal of the USL PRO campaign. Newnam picked up a loose ball in the penalty area, turned and fired a left-footed shot past Wilmington goalkeeper Quillan Roberts.
Wilmington created a chance late in the first half as Brian Ackley laid a ball off for Steven Miller but Miller’s shot was right at Kann as the Eagles maintained their one-goal lead at the break.
The second half started evenly as both teams traded possession back and forth for the first 15 minutes. Wilmington came close to evening the score as a dangerous corner was played over the crossbar for an Eagles goal kick.
Charlotte doubled its advantage shortly thereafter as Wilmington was called for a handball in the penalty area in the 69th minute. Herrera converted the penalty kick, marking the sixth time the Colombian has scored this season.
Wilmington mounted pressure in the final 20 minutes, but Kann and the Eagles defense stood strong and recorded the shutout.
Charlotte will travel to Orlando to take on the league leaders in its next contest on Saturday, August 2nd. Make sure to follow all of the action on the Charlotte Eagles’ Twitter account (@CharlotteEagles). The Eagles return to Queens Sports Complex on Saturday, August 16th as the Rochester Rhinos come to town
