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Aztex First USL-First Division Appearance Ends With a 1-1 Draw Against the Thunder

April 18, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Minnesota Thunder News Release


AUSTIN, Texas - This was the second game of the MinnesotaThunder 2009 season. The match wasplayed in Austin, Texas and was the first game for the host team's franchise inUSL-First Division play. As thefinal whistle blew, the scoreboard read 1-1. The Thunder was the first to score in the 51stminute, when Leonel Saint-Preux put the ball in the back of the net. Defender Lyle Adams returned the favorwith the first goal for the Aztex in the 69th minute. Minnesotaplayed this game without the help of Brian Kallman due to a red card hereceived last game. The Thundercontinues to play on the road heading off to Charleston, South Carolina to takeon the Battery on April 24th.

Out of the gates, Austin's goalkeeper, Miguel Gallardo, had to be patchedup. In the 3rdminute, his ear was bleeding andmedical personnel needed to come and stop the bleeding by putting a bandage over his head. Miguel had crashedinto fellow teammate A.J. Godbolt. This event in no way hindered Gallardo'sperformance throughout the game.

In the 20thminute the Minnesota Thunder had their first chance to put a ball in the netbut before they could get anything going, Gallardo came out to just short ofthe 18-yard box to put an end to the Thunder's advance.

Thefollowing minute was the first realistic opportunity for the Thunder to score agoal. They rifled a shot but itwas aimed right at Austin's goalkeeper. Gallardo had no trouble with thesave.

Late in thefirst half, in the 36th minute, Austin had their own opportunity toscore. Yordany Alvarez was downnear the left sideline and fed the ball into the middle of the field. Platter was there to catch the crossand keep the game tied at zero.

In the 44thminute, Thunder's Andres Arango had another opportunity for a goal. The ball was fed to himwith a well placed through pass but Gallardo intercepted the ball. This kept the game on an evenkeel.

LeonelSaint-Preux for Minnesota had the first goal of the game. This came in the 51stminute. He had a generous amountof room to work with in the penalty box when Gallardo came to address theplay. Saint-Preux used some fancyfootwork to get around Austin's keeper to take advantage of the wide-open net.

RicardoSanchez found himself on a breakaway, in the 62nd minute, with onlyGallardo in his way from adding to the Thunder's lead. Ricardo sent a laser of a shot on netbut Gallardo was there to make the save.

The 67thminute was the time when the Aztex had their closest chance for a goal sofar. Austin's forward, Brown,slipped a shot right by Platter but instead of the ball finding the back of thenet, it found the side post.

The Aztextied up the game in the 69th minute. Lyle Adams is the first player in franchise history to scorea goal. The ball was sent to themiddle on a cross by Silva. Adams, who was playing forward, took control of the ball at the top ofthe 18-yard box. He sent the itlow and slightly bouncing on the ground. The ball was in the back of the net before Platter could even react.

In minute77, Ricardo Sanchez for Minnesota took a long curling shot well outside thepenalty box and Gallardo was forced to make a diving punch just to deflect theshot over the net resulting in a corner.

GeoffreyMyers of Minnesota headed full steam into the goalie box in the 81stminute. He decided to pull up andnot take the shot, as two Aztex were there to put a stop to Myers'advance. When he regainedcomposure, he attempted to slip one by Gallardo but the shot missed just wideleft.

When allwas said and done, the franchise opener for the Austin Aztex resulted in a 1-1draw with the Minnesota Thunder.

This iswhat Donny Gramenz, the Minnesota Thunder head coach, had to say about thegame, "I believe the guys worked hard and played well overall tonight. Theyshould be proud of themselves. Of course its disappointing to leave Austin witha point tonight especially after having the lead. Tomorrow we start preparingfor Charleston. I also want toapplaud Austin for their performance and creating a great soccer atmosphere."

Thunder season tickets are now on sale and can be purchased foras little as $65. Fans can choose from flex ticket options that allow the useof any number of tickets for any game, or fans can choose their specific seatfor each and every game. In addition, the Thunder's new Shield Pass allows fansages 3-18 to attend every single Thunder and Lightning game for just $20 forthe season. With over a $200 value, the Shield Pass is the best sports ticketvalue in the Twin Cities. To purchase season tickets, please visit www.mnthunder.com or call 651.294.4664.

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