If the Richmond Kickers harbored any hopes of overtaking first-place Charlotte in the United Soccer Leagues Second Division race, they had to beat the Eagles last night.

For much of the wide-open affair, it appeared the scoreless game might end in a draw, which wouldn't have helped the Kickers much.

But Stanley Nyazamba supplied the only goal for the second consecutive week, and his highlight-reel score in the 65th minute provided the difference in a 1-0 victory before a holiday crowd of 2,947 at University of Richmond Stadium.

"We went into this week saying this game could make or break our season," said goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale, who had five saves in his third shutout.

"If we win the game, we're right in the mix for one of the top two seeds. You lose it, it's basically an uphill battle the rest of the season. We've put ourselves in a good situation by winning, but by no means are we playing the way we need to be playing."

With back-to-back triumphs, Richmond (3-2-0, nine points) climbed to four points of Charlotte (4-1-1, 13) in the USL2 standings and has a game in hand.

DIFFERENT LOOK: The Kickers started only one forward (David Bulow) against the Eagles, using five midfielders, all of whom like to attack.

"This is closer to the lineup I'd like to play chemistry-wise," coach Leigh Cowlishaw said. "I thought we had good balance tonight for the first time. I thought we came after Charlotte with a lot of energy for the first 30 minutes, rattled them and had some great combination plays.

"Charlotte is always going to be dangerous, especially on the counterattack, so you're never going to get total domination on that team. The second half, I thought we came out a little flat, so we changed the positions around to give us a little more success. I thought we got the goal at the right time.

"It was a good win against one of the finest Charlotte teams I've ever seen."

ANOTHER GAME-WINNER: Nyazamba had notched the only goal in last week's 1-0 win over Western Mass., and duplicated the feat when he gathered in an attempted clearing pass and delivered a left-footed bullet from the top of the 18-yard box.

The ball curled into the top left corner, out of reach of goalkeeper Terry Boss, and into the back of the net.

"When I got the ball, I didn't plan to shoot," Nyazamba said. "I pretty much just looked around and saw an opening. So you take a shot, and you never know what happens. Getting a goal can pretty much decide a game. If they had done the same thing, gotten a goal, it would have been pretty hard on our end."

LATE ADDITION: The Kickers added midfielder Ian Bennett to the roster late Friday. A native of Hamilton, Ontario, Bennett is on loan from the Chicago Storm (Major Indoor Soccer League), where he scored 12 goals and added five assists this past season.

Bennett, who spent last season with the Charleston Battery (USL1) and had one goal, played the final 15 minutes in place of midfielder Mike Burke.

The Kickers also had the services of defender Trevor McEachron for the second consecutive week, though he said it's still on a "week-to-week basis."

FIRST APPEARANCE: Rookie midfielder Eliot Paschalis, who was injured (MCL strain) in the preseason, got into his first game and played 85 minutes.

Veteran defender Kevin Knight (hamstring) was on the bench for the first time since the season opener but didn't play. He's hopeful of returning Saturday against Wilmington.

ON DECK: The Kickers are home again Saturday, when the Wilmington Hammerheads visit UR Stadium for a 7 p.m. kickoff.

Charlotte ------------------------- 0 0 - 0
Richmond ------------------------- 0 1 - 1

Scoring: 1, Richmond, Nyazamba 2, 65th minute.

Shots: Charlotte 10-7

Saves: Charlotte, Boss 2; Richmond, Pascale 5

Corner kicks: Charlotte 7-2

Offsides: 2-2

Fouls: Charlotte 14-12

Yellow cards: None

Referee: Steven Taylor

Attendance: 2,947