Richmond Kickers defeat Old Dominion University Monarchs 4-1

RICHMOND, VA – (Saturday, March 19, 2011) – The Richmond Kickers defeated the Old Dominion University Monarchs 4-1 on a beautiful, spring-like day Saturday at the Kickers state-of-the-art training facility, Ukrop Park. Newcomer Shaka Bangura opened scoring for the Kickers in the first minute of play, but Monarchs forward Yannick Smith notched the equalizer before the end of the half. Kickers midfielder David Bulow added a pair of second half tallies and defender William Yomby rounded out the scoreline.


After joining the Kickers preseason training last Friday, Bangura’s first touch for his new club resulted in a goal. A long throw-in 30 seconds into the match found an open Matthew Delicate, who immediately flicked it on to Edson Elcock at midfield. Elcock played a through ball behind the defense to Bangura. Unmarked after a failed offside trap left him 1v1 with the goalkeeper, the former Puerto Rico Islanders midfielder calmly slotted the ball into the left corner.

The Monarchs leveled the score before the end of the half when a mistake in the midfield gave Old Dominion the advantage in dangerous territory. An open Smith collected the ball and struck from the right side of the box to the far post to put the Monarchs back in the game.

The home side rallied in the second half with a flurry of goals, starting in the 54th minute. Defender Sascha Görres fired a cross from the left side to a well-positioned Bulow inside the box. The ‘keeper was able to get a hand on the resulting header, to push it against the post, but the rebound fell back to Bulow for an easy tap-in.

Ten minutes later, midfielder Ross Mackenzie hurled an outswinging corner into the mix, finding Yomby six yards from the target. The big, Cameroonian defender won the ball in the air and sent a glancing header to the far post to put the Kickers up 3-1.

Bulow struck again before the final whistle after a full-out attack inside the box found him in scoring position once again. Elcock delivered a cross from the right side that was cleared short to the top of the box. An onrushing Bobby Foglesong attempted a shot, but the ball was deflected as Foglesong collided with the goalkeeper. As the pair scrambled for the loose ball, Bulow effortlessly tapped it over the goal line.
The Kickers continue preseason training with an intense lineup of closed door scrimmages including matches against Virginia Commonwealth University, James Madison University, University of Richmond and Carolina RailHawks (NASL). The 2011 USL PRO regular season commences in just two weeks, when the Kickers play host to Orlando City on Saturday, April 2 at City Stadium.


Box Score First Half Second Half FinalRichmond 1 3 4

Old Dominion 1 0 1



Scoring Summary

1st minute – Richmond: Shaka Bangura (Edson Elcock)

31st minute – Old Dominion: Yannick Smith

54th minute – Richmond: David Bulow

67th minute – Richmond: William Yomby (Ross Mackenzie)

77th minute – Richmond: David Bulow



Referee: James Brooks

Assistant Referees: Mark Gorak

Fourth Official: Shannon Poplstein

Attendance: N/AWeather: 75°, sunny

Stadium: Ukrop Park