Sanner Puts Spell On Knights; Nets Hat Trick In Season Opener
5.7.11
MASPETH, NY. (May 7, 2011) – Dressing only 13 players, the United knew that they would have to rekindle some of that playoff magic from last season, when the same number dressed during their Eastern Conference championship run. Princeton forward Matt Sanner played the part of “magician”, netting all three United goals en route to a convincing 3-1 victory against the Brooklyn Knights at the Metropolitan Oval.
“It was a great way to get the season started. We were able to establish ourselves early in the match, which gave us a great deal of confidence going forward,” said head coach Brendan Burke.
Sanner began to work his magic in the second minute, as Reading drew an early corner kick. A well struck service from UPenn midfielder Christian Barreiro found Sanner in the box, striking it inside the right post, behind the diving Knights keeper, Tyler Clarhunt.
Just before the first half whistle in the 43rd minute, the Princeton product took a Chris Harmon feed one-on-one with Clarhunt, winning the battle with a ball tucked inside the far post. 25 minutes into the second half, Sanner struck again as Medaille’s George Tor tracked down a Knights’ mistake in the backfield, setting up another one-on-one opportunity for Sanner, beating Clarhunt once again. Clarhunt, who made seven stops on the night, simply had no answer for Sanner, who scored only five goals during the entire 2010 season with Princeton.
The Knights would answer with an 88th minute goal, as second-half substitution Riccardo Campel tipped a deflection past a helpless Brian Holt. It ruined what otherwise was a spectacular night by the Creighton keeper, who made eight stops on the night, including many of the spectacular variety.
Playing Brooklyn for the first time since their Eastern Conference playoff run in 2009, the United dominated from start to finish, outshooting the Knights 17-10. The victory places Reading one step closer to returning for a third straight year to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, a competition between the top levels of the United States soccer pyramid.
The United return home on Sunday, May 15th at 6:00pm for their home opener at Exeter’s Don Thomas Stadium to face rival New Jersey Rangers. Later in the month, the United will then play a pair of professional friendlies against the USL PRO Harrisburg City Islanders and the Philadelphia Union of the MLS. Harrisburg visits on May 24th at 7:00pm, while Philadelphia takes a trip up the Turnpike on May 31st at 7:30pm. For tickets and more information about Reading United, check out the Reading United A.C. website at http://www.readingunitedac.com.
Reading United 3, Brooklyn Knights 1
Goals: RU Matt Sanner (2’, 41’, 65’), BK Riccardo Campel (88’)
Shots: Reading (17), Brooklyn (10)
Saves: Reading (8), Brooklyn (7)
Fouls: Reading (18), Brooklyn (11)
Offsides: Reading (1), Brooklyn (0)
Corners: Reading (8), Brooklyn (5)
Yellow Cards: RU Ged Quinn, RU Shane Malcolm
ABOUT READING UNITED AC
Reading United A.C. (formerly Reading Rage) is the Greater Reading area’s premier minor league soccer team. Led by the ownership group of Berks Professional Sports, Inc. the club was founded in 1995 as the Reading Rage. As the club entered its 15th season a name, logo, and color change was made to better feature the ties to the local and state community as well as the soccer goals of the team and its partners. Reading United is a Player Development Partner of the Philadelphia Union MLS team. For more information about Reading United AC, visit http://www.readingunitedac.com.
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