Phantoms Face Grueling Stretch

PDL Side to Play 4 Road Games in 9 Days

May 8, 2009

After a tough home opener against the New Jersey Rangers, the New Hampshire Phantoms hit the road to face a grueling task of four road games in a row before returning home May 22 to face Ocean City.

In a home opener that saw the Phantoms dominate the run of play for most of the game, the Phantoms had to settle for a 1-1 draw on a late goal by Baran Doenmez.

The Phantoms will travel to face the Long Island Rough Riders Saturday, and then face Newark Ironbound Express Sunday. The Rough Riders are an extremely experienced franchise, having previously played in the USL. Saturday’s game against the Phantoms will be Long Island’s home and season opener.

“We need a great effort this weekend to come away with positive results,” said New Hampshire head coach Jim DeDeus. “These games are a great measuring point of our season.”

The following weekend the Phantoms take another difficult road trip, this time to face the Westchester Flames (May 16) and the Brooklyn Knights (May 17). The Knights are the defending Northeast Division Champions and are always difficult to handle at their home pitch.

The Phantoms return home on Friday, May 22 to host Ocean City. This game will be the final qualifying game for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The game is scheduled to be played at Southern New Hampshire University at 7:30 p.m.