Kickers draw 1-1 in Pro-AM Challenge against NCAA Champions UNC

The Richmond Kickers battled the NCAA Champions University of North Carolina to a 1-1 draw Saturday in front of a capacity crowd in the third annual Pro-Am Challenge at Ukrop Park. The visiting Tar Heels took an early lead on an Alex Walters tally in the 34th minute before Kickers forward Matthew Delicâte brought the scoreline level immediately after the second half restart.

The Kickers tested UNC goalkeeper Scott Goodwin early in the first half when defender Sascha Görres teamed up with newcomer Jason Yeisley on an overlapping run down the left wing. The give and go left Görres open at the edge of the box, allowing him to feed the ball to an onrushing Yeisley but his point-blank strike was smothered by the poised netminder.

Later, Tar Heels forward Josh Rice sliced through the midfield but was shut down by the Kickers staunch defense just outside the box. Walters intercepted the resulting clearance and with one touch, fired the ball on target, forcing Kickers veteran goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale to spring into action to tip the ball over the crossbar.

Midfielder Martin Murphy lined up the ensuing corner kick, swinging the ball into the crowded box. In the commotion, the ball bounced out to the far post, finding Walters who was not to be denied a second time, redirecting the ball into the opposite corner.

Coming out of the break, the Kickers turned up the pressure and notched the equalizer within minutes of the restart. Görres targeted Delicâte with a long ball from the back, with the ball dropping behind the defense. A UNC defender attempted to play it back to his keeper but a poor clearance rebounded off Delicâte and the Kickers prolific goalscorer easily tapped the ball into the open net.

As the final seconds of regulation loomed near, Kickers midfielder Edson Elcock played a short corner to Görres, positioned just outside the 18 yard line. He crossed an inswinger into the box, finding Gerson dos Santos in the air but his open header sailed wide right.

Scoring Summary
34th minute: North Carolina – Alex Walters (Martin Murphy)
47th minute: Matthew Delicâte