Team knows charity begins at home

Friday night Hammerheads soccer at Legion Stadium featured boxes of donated equipment collected before the match, along with the Second Division action on the field.

The Hammerheads organization began collecting new or slightly used soccer equipment for the Passback Program, a joint effort of the US Soccer Foundation, Eurosport and Major League Soccer.

"We've been looking for a few years to try to team up with a specific charity that we can tie ourselves to," said Kristen Beckmeyer, director of soccer operations for the Hammerheads. "We came upon this in the off-season, and we just thought it fit perfectly."

Equipment is shipped around the globe but can be designated for a particular area. The Hammerheads will distribute their contributions locally.

Fans can bring cleats, jerseys, balls, shin guards, equipment bags and other soccer items to every home match this season. The team will give its donations away during a halftime presentation of the final home game on Aug. 12.

Those who contribute to Passback will receive a free youth pass valid for children age 4 to 12 for all remaining home matches.

"The kids are our biggest supporters," Beckmeyer said. "They're the ones that stick with you and the sport for life.

"It's definitely about giving back to the community. It's the number one sport in the world and there are still tons of people that can't afford to play it."

The Wilmington club can't afford to pass up opportunities for Second Division victories, but fell short of that mission Friday night in a 1-1 draw against the visiting New Hampshire Phantoms.

The senior member of the Hammerheads, midfielder George Corrie, scored the game's first goal in the 21st minute off a long cross from Landy Mattison.

But five minutes later, the Phantoms drew even. Tyler Jackson sent a corner kick into the box, where Almir Barbosa finished the play.

Wilmington had a number of chances to post a second goal after the break - including two shots at the Phantoms' net in the final two minutes. But goalkeeper Brian Levey turned away both chances.

Among the crowd watching the action was Tammy Cheers and her daughter, Emily, who dropped off a pair of pink cleats. The 9-year-old has outgrown the shoes after an undefeated spring season with her Cape Fear soccer team.

"I'd rather somebody that I know needs them, and gets good use out them, gets them," Cheers said of Emily's donation.

Equipment will also be accepted at the Hammerheads office, located at 420 Raleigh St. Suite E in Wilmington.

For more information on the program, go to www.passback.org.

The Hammerheads (1-5-4) travel on Tuesday for their first trip to Bermuda before returning to Legion Stadium on Friday for a match against Cleveland.