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Strikers Defeat Defending Champion Stars for First Road Win

July 18, 2012 - North American Soccer League (NASL) Fort Lauderdale Strikers

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (July 18, 2012) - The Fort Lauderdale Strikers (6W-6T-6L) defeated the defending champion Minnesota Stars FC (7W-5T-5L) 2-1 on Wednesday night at NSC Stadium for their first road win of the season. Midfielder Mark Anderson scored twice for the Strikers putting him one goal behind the NASL lead with nine on the season. The Strikers move into fifth place in the NASL standings with 24 points. Their next game is on the road against the San Antonio Scorpions on Saturday, July 21, at 8:45p.m. EDT.

"We went in at halftime and told the guys we have to do whatever it takes to get this win," said Strikers head coach Daryl Shore. "I'm really proud of our guys because they fought really hard, winning every header and getting to every second ball."

The first goal of the match came in the 34th minute on the counter attack when a breaking Andy Herron hit Mark Anderson with a pass. Anderson then made a couple of dribbles and fired a shot just inside the far post, beating Stars' goalkeeper Matt Van Oekel.

The Strikers second goal came just before halftime in the 42nd minute when the attacking duo of Walter Restrepo and Mark Anderson connected for the third time this season. Anderson took Restrepo's pass and struck the ball high into the near corner of the net for his second goal of the game and ninth goal of the season. The assist was Restrepo's seventh of the year, extending his NASL lead.

In the second half, the Stars were able to pull within a goal when former Striker forward Martin Nunez snuck a pass through the Strikers' defense to Simone Bracalello. The Minnesota forward found himself one on one with Matt Glaeser and tucked his shot under the Strikers' goalkeeper to make it 2-1.

The Strikers played defensively the rest of the match and despite significant pressure from Minnesota were able to hold on for their first victory at NSC Stadium since Aug. 10 of last season.

Tickets for Strikers home games are available by calling (954) 606-0400 or by going to Strikers.com. Follow the Strikers on facebook and twitter @FTLStrikers. All Strikers NASL games are broadcast online at Strikers.com/live

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North American Soccer League Stories from July 18, 2012


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