Phantoms Outlast Stingrays

Hang On for 3-2 Win in New England Battle

May 19, 2008

It was a Jekyll and Hyde performance from the New Hampshire Phantoms this weekend. The club looked like world-beaters in one half and just plain beaten in the other, but still managed to beat the Rhode Island Stingrays, 3-2, despite nearly blowing a 3-0 lead in the All-New England PDL matchup.

Jeff Larentowicz and Revs want to start a winning streak. (Photo courtesy: NH Phantoms)

Adrian Schippers, named the United Soccer Leagues PDL Player of the Week for his effort against Cape Cod last weekend, shined in this one as well, notching his fourth goal of the season and tacking on an assist in a Phantom dominated first half.

The Phantoms came out strong, putting tremendous early pressure on the Stingrays. Schippers took a pass from Kyle Urso and slammed it into the net in the 17 minute. Then Kevin Woods made it 2-0 for the Phantoms on a pass from Schippers just three minutes later. AJ Dubois finished the scoring for the Phantoms only eight minutes later on a spectacular individual effort to beat Stingrays keeper Peter Wise.

If the first half was a dream for Phantoms� coach Jim DeDeus, then the second half was a nightmare. All the momentum shifted toward Rhode Island after Jeff Gonsalves converted on a penalty kick.

The Phantoms struggled to hang on and in the 80th minute, Rhode Island was able to pull within a goal when Ryan Kelly put a perfect cross into the net to make the score 3-2. New Hampshire managed to literally fight off the Stingrays in the final minute as AJ Dubois get a red card in the 90th minute after getting into a tussle with a Rhode Island defender.

"We learned the hard way tonight that no matter the circumstances or the score we can never take our foot of the gas," said DeDeus.

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