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Kings ruin City Islanders' opener
Phantoms, Pioneers also pick up wins on the road
In their third Open Cup qualifier on the road to open up the season, the Cincinnati Kings defeated the Harrisburg City Islanders 2-0. It was the City Islanders’ home opener at the Skyline Sports Complex and over 3,000 fans watched the home side give up two first half goals to Kings’ forward Jeffrey Hughes.  It was a tremendous defensive effort by Cincinnati goalkeeper Jason James who made 10 saves to earn the club’s second shutout in three matches. It was the first win against the City Islanders in the Kings’ early franchise history. In their inaugural season last year, they were winless (0-2-2) against Harrisburg in their five meetings.
A fluke own goal decided the game between the New Hampshire Phantoms and the Long Island Rough Riders. After a long clearance by the Phantoms’ defense, Rough Rider defender Darrell Etienne challenged for the header and accidentally headed the ball backwards and over the head of his own goalkeeper Eric Masters.
The rematch of a very physical playoff series from a year ago carried over into 2006 as the Western Mass Pioneers spoiled the Wilmingon Hammerheads’ home opener 1-0. The Pioneers scored their lone goal by way of Omar McFarlane slotting home the game winner in the 59th minute. The game featured 27 fouls (WIL 17 WMP 10), and Josh Cole came up big in goal once again for Western Mass with nine saves and his second clean sheet in as many games.
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