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After giving up an own-goal midway through the first half, the Richmond Kickers scored a minute later and never looked back, tallying three more goals on their way to a 4-2 road win over defending USL Second Division champions Charlotte before 1,472 at Waddell High School.

Charlotte (1-1-2) got on the board in the 30th minute courtesy of a Kickers’ own goal. The Eagles’ Sam Casey made a beautiful serve to the top of the six yard box for Jacob Coggins.  Coggins connected on the cross with a header, which deflected off the defender and into the upper left corner past Richmond goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale.

However, a minute later, Robert Ssejjemba scored from 18-yards to the left-corner past Charlotte goalkeeper Chris McClellan, getting an assist from veteran midfielder Mike Burke. 

Ssejjemba got another goal, his third of the season, in the 45th minute, this time assisted by Chris Carrieri, who had a goal and an assist last Sunday in a 5-0 win over Long Island.

"We had a great first half," said Charlotte coach Mark Steffens. "Richmond’s goal just before the half was a real backbreaker."

Carrieri tallied another assist eight minutes after the break, setting up Mark Watson for his second goal of the season. Watson, taking the long pass, beat McClellan to the ball and scored. 

Burke also got his second assist of the match on Kevin Knight’s goal in the 55th minute, serving a corner that Knight headed just under the crossbar, putting the Kickers (2-1-0) up 4-1.

Charlotte, who fell to third place with the loss, cut the lead in half after Coggins was fouled in the box. The Coggins penalty beat Pascale to the left corner, but Richmond held on for their second consecutive win and stand alone in second place, three points behind first place Cincinnati, who defeated the Kickers to open the season.

"The guys worked hard and tried to fight back," Steffens said. "There’s definately a lot of fight in this team.  It was 4-1 we made it 4-2 and probably had three saved off their line and not just by the keeper."

Ray Goodlett, coming back after a two-year absence from the field, played his first match of the season, going 90 minutes in the back with Kelvin Jones, Knight and Tony Williams. Sascha Gorres also played his first 90 minutes of the season. Gorres, after returning from Germany to work on his degree requirements, had an minor ankle injury and sat out last Sunday’s win.

The win, which gives the Kickers nine goals in their last two matches, helps them in their quest for a US Open Cup spot. With Charlotte having clinched a spot already due to winning the 2005 league title, the USL Second Division has five more spots available. Spots are based on the percentage of points won in matches played through May 28.

Charlotte  1–1—-2
Richmond   2–2—-4

Scoring Summary
CHA: Own goal 30
RIC: Robert Ssejjemba (Mike Burke) 31
RIC: Ssejjemba (Chris Carrieri) 45
RIC: Mark Watson (Carrieri) 53
RIC: Kevin Knight (Burke) 55
CHA: Jacob Coggins (penalty) 73

Stats (CHA/RIC)
Shots:  13/14
Saves:   6/6
Fouls:  15/8
Offside: 0/0
Corners: 7/2

Lineups
Charlotte: Chris McClellan; Aaron Faro, Ben Meek (Anthony Stovall 85), Josh Rife, Greg Schroeder; Sam Casey (Ross Spencer 78), Andy Guastaferro (Ryan Dinunzio 60), William Clayton Roberts (Chris Lemons 65), Dustin Swinehart (Patrick Daka 69); Jacob Coggins, Adam Ruud; Subs Not Used: Ben Johnson, Dan Benton

Richmond: Ronnie Pascale; Ray Goodlett, Kelvin Jones, Kevin Knight, Tony Williams; Tim Brown, Mike Burke (Steven Wolfe 62), Sascha Gorres, Matt Watson (Trevor McEachron 89); Chris Carrieri, Robert Ssejjemba (Cristian Neagu 71); Subs Not Used: Eric Dutt, Ed Hayden, Cecil Lewis, Steve Ankiel

Cautions
RIC: Tony Williams 73
RIC: Chris Carrieri 80
RIC: Steven Wolfe 85

Referee: Eric Proctor
Assistant Referees: Rob Ellyson, Daniel Burak
Fourth Official: Gary Duncan
Weather: Clear, 65 degrees
Attendance: 1,472