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Friday, March 29, 2024

Hammerheads take winning record into home opener

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Behind a new coach and several additions to the lineup, the Wilmington Hammerheads FC will take a winning start into the April 1 home opener after the minor league soccer team defeated Orlando City B 2-1 in Florida last Saturday.

The Hammerheads were lifted over OCB by a long strike from Logan Miller midway through the second half to give the team a lead it would not relinquish. After a scoreless first half by both teams, the Hammerheads also got on the board first with a goal from Ashani Faircloth, a defender who just signed with the team March 25 after playing previously with the Seattle Sounders.

It’s a positive debut for new head coach Mark Briggs, former Hammerheads player who was the Most Valuable Player for the 2009 team that won the United Soccer League second division regular season title. It’s also a welcome start for a team that finished the 2015 season in last place in the USL, posting a record of 3-15, with 10 draws.

“It was a fantastic way to start our season tonight,” Briggs said. “We showed a lot of character. We fought for one another and displayed a lot of quality in possession against OCB.”

The Hammerheads will open the home schedule for the team’s 20th season Friday, April 1, with a 7 p.m. contest at Legion Field against the Richmond Kickers.

The Hammerheads added several new players this offseason in an effort to return the team to the winning ways that Briggs experienced as a player. One of the most experienced players coming to Wilmington’s lineup is midfielder Liam Miller, who brings 120 English Premier League experience to the squad.

The team completely revamped its goal keeping team, bringing in Canadian John Smits following his four-year stint with FC Edmonton. Smits’ efforts were felt immediately, as he notched three saves and a save percentage of .750 in the first game. The Hammerheads have also added Eric Ati in goal, who has played with both the Atlanta Silverbacks and the USL’s Charlotte Independence.

The Hammerheads have added help for veteran defender Tom Parratt, who has been with the club since 2011. Wilmington brought in Peabo Doue from OKC Energy FC, and Ferrety Sousa, who has played with the Atlanta Silverbacks the past two seasons.

At the forward position, the Hammerheads will have their first full season with Qudus Lawal, who was acquired during the 2015 season from the Seattle Sounders FC 2. Wilmington is also adding an experienced English player in Matthew Barnes-Homer.

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