The Richmond Kickers edged the Real Maryland Monarchs, 1-0 on a humid, summer night Saturday in front of 2,727 fans. Veteran midfielder Mike Burke notched the lone goal while goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale posted six saves to preserve the shutout.

The Kickers must face the Wilmington Hammerheads in the final two regular season matches, traveling first to Wilmington on Sat., Aug. 8 before returning home on Aug. 15 to host the Hammerheads at UR Stadium. Richmond and Wilmington are currently tied for first place in the standings with 35 points apiece.

The Kickers tested the waters early in the match when Worthen connected with forward Matthew Delicâte in point-blank scoring range. Delicâte won the header in front of the goal but his close-range attempt sailed over the bar.

Four minutes later, defender Sascha Görres lined up a free kick at midfield and slotted the ball through the Monarchs defense to newcomer Edson Elcock at the top of the box. Elcock attempted to feed the ball through to Delicâte, positioned inches from the target but he narrowly missed his mark, pushing the ball wide.

Görres and Elcock teamed up again soon after. Görres eluded defenders and played the ball to an onrushing Elcock 18 yards out but his attempt met Maryland goalkeeper David Kern who scooped up the ball for the save.

Later, Maryland gained momentum with a few dangerous changes. First, in the 23rd minute forward Gary Brooks chested the ball down to Jamie Holmes at the top of the box, but his shot sailed wide.

Then, in the 27th minute, after a long pass from the back, midfielder Sean Rush got in behind the defense and challenged Pascale 1v1 in the box. Pascale made a diving kick-save to play the ball back into the mix.  Brooks looked dangerous again in the 33rd minute, this time colliding with Pascale on a breakaway.

Despite the offensive flurry in Richmond ’s territory, it was the Kickers who broke the ice in the 41st minute.  Drawing a foul on the left wing, Görres lined up a quick free kick and played it down the line to Worthen. Worthen delivered the ball across the box to an awaiting Burke who settled it, measured his shot and buried it into the back of the net.

Following the second half restart, the Monarchs looked for the equalizer with a 54th minute close-call. Forward Dave Hertel played the through ball into the Kickers half, splitting two defenders to find Brooks on the right flank. Battling down the wing, Brooks released a shot under pressure, but Vercollone was able to get a foot on the ball and the attempt harmlessly sailed wide.

In the 72nd minute, defender Joe Funicello challenged for the ball deep on the left side, out-muscling Elcock and delivering a cross into the box. Several players battled for the header but it was Kickers defender Yomby William who reached it first to clear it over the end line.

The Kickers nearly added a second goal to the scoreline in the 73rd minute on a counterattack following the Monarchs resultant corner kick one minute earlier. Burke gathered the ball and whisked down the midfield, feeding the ball to Delicâte. The big forward played it back to Görres who delivered it across the box, back to Burke on the right side but the Monarchs defense stifled the attack.

Seconds after, Kickers substitute Ross Mackenzie played a lightning-quick free kick to Ben Hunter deep on the right side. Sliding across the goalmouth, Hunter slotted the ball to an onrushing Delicâte but a Monarchs defender intercepted and cleared it over the end line.

Former Kickers midfielder Cecil Lewis nearly leveled the score in the 77th minute when he fired a shot that ricocheted off Pascale’s hand against the near post and bounded across the goalmouth, only to spin over the touchline.

Ten minutes later, Lewis struck again, this time curling a fierce shot into the box, but Pascale came up big again with his sixth save of the night.

The Richmond Kickers return to the University of Richmond Stadium on Sat., Aug. 15 to host the second annual FAMILY FEST and the Wilmington Hammerheads. The fun begins at 4 p.m. and will feature live music, delicious food, games, a petting zoo and the largest inflatable obstacle course in Central Virginia , presented by Bounce 2 the Moon.

The Kickers regular season finale highlights the event and kicks off at 7 p.m. Bring the family before 6 p.m. and purchase a $5.00 ticket that allows admission for the whole group.

Click here for more information.

– The information above was provided by Shelley Sowers with the Kickers