RAIN-SHORTENED TIE

May 10, 2009

RAIN-SHORTENED TIE

Flames, Barons draw in season opener

Ocean City, N.J. -- The Westchester Flames played the Ocean City Barons to a 1-1 tie in their Premier Development League opener that was abanadoned game due to poor field conditions in the 58th minute on Saturday night.

Since the Barons moved to Ocean City in 2005, there has rarely been an unpleasant home game at Carey Stadium. Aside from an occasional splash of rain and some wind, there hasn’t been much to complain about. That is, until Saturday’s home opener against the Flames. Heavy rain, thunder and lightning created poor field conditions, causing the first abandoned game at Carey Stadium in Barons history.

Ryan Richter’s header at the end of the first half answered a Westchester penalty kick earlier in the half to level it at 1-1. In the 58th minute, the storm arrived and caused players and fans alike to run for cover.

After an attack-minded start by the home side, it was the Barons who found themselves behind after the Flames were awarded a penalty kick in the 20th minute. The Flames used solid ball movement on a cross to the left side of the field, and after connecting another pass to the middle of the box, Ocean City defender Jimmy Davis clipped a Westchester striker as he attempted to take a shot. Kevin Meyer fired the spot kick to the right of goalkeeper Jordan Bar as it was just out of his reach.

The Barons continued to press to find an equalizer, but they missed a few chances to pull even. Billy Pinto hit the ball off the crossbar and Byron Carmichael missed a few opportunities in front of goal, but the point wasn’t saved until the final minute of the half.

Following a free kick near midfield, Jimmy Davis crossed a ball into the box. The ball connected with his former LaSalle teammate Ryan Richter, who flicked the ball off his head and past goalkeeper Emilio Xikis to tie the game.

After the halftime break the storm was swiftly approaching, and the two teams only managed to play eight minutes before the heavens opened up and after waiting it out as long as they could, the game was abandoned because of poor field conditions.

With the draw, the Barons extend their home opener unbeaten streak to six years in a row. They have not lost a home opener since their first season in the PDL in 2003, and have never lost one at "The Beach House" in Ocean City.

This game also doubled as a U.S. Open Cup qualifier, and while a draw certainly doesn’t eliminate them from contention, it does put additional pressure to win their remaining three qualifying games. The next three are home against the Long Island Rough Riders, followed by back-to-back road games at the New Hampshire Phantoms and the Rhode Island Stingrays on May 22 and 23.

5/10/09