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Austin's Alexandre scores pair of goals in 3-2 loss at Vancouver

September 3, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Austin Aztex News Release


BURNABY, British Columbia - Charles Gbeke combined to total four goals but it was a Kenold Versailles header off of a long throw-in early in the match that turned out to be the difference as the Vancouver Whitecaps edged the visiting Aztex 3-2 on Wednesday night.

Vancouver (9-9-8, 35pts) opened the scoring in the 11th minute in what could best be described as a déjà vu moment for Austin (4-14-8, 18pts) players and fans. In an almost identical out-of-bounds play to the one that occurred on April 21 at Nelson Field, Vancouver's Wes Knight made a long run up and deep throw that once again managed to elude the Aztex defense. This time Knight's delivery found Versailles, who sent his header to the far post and past Aztex goalkeeper Nick Noble for the early 1-0 lead.

Trying to find the equalizer, 10 minutes later Austin's Sullivan Silva responded making a deep run up the right side. After several Vancouver defenders closed in and cut off Silva's angle at the goal, the Brazilian pivoted back toward the middle before delivering a cross just inside the 18-yard box to an awaiting Jean Alexandre, who proceeded to send a blast straight at Vancouver keeper Jay Nolly. Nolly secured the ball in what turned out to be the first of several head-to-head meetings between the two players on the night. What could have been the equalizer and a change of momentum for the visitors, turned disastrous just moments later.

On the ensuing possession Vancouver quickly moved the ball down to the Aztex third where Whitecaps leading scorer Charles Gbeke sliced through the Aztex backline before beating Noble for his 10th goal of the season to put the home side up 2-0.

Despite falling behind early, the Aztex offense continued to attack. It paid dividends in the 34th minute when defender Kevin Sakuda made a run up the left side before dropping the ball back to Alexandre. The Haitian international player settled the ball and then sent in another rocket just a few feet off the ground. Nolly got his hands on the ball, but the momentum carried it into the net to cut the lead in half.

In the second half Austin built off the momentum generated at the close of the first half and had a pair of solid scoring chances early including one in the 59th minute when midfielder Ryan McMahen delivered a line drive from the edge of the 18-yard box. Nolly dove hard to his right and knocked the ball just a few feet wide of the post. There Gifton Noel-Williams slid to the ground and put a tough shot on goal but Nolly once again turned it away for an Austin corner. Two minutes later Aztex defender Michael Dello-Russo sent in a sharp free kick at the far post where Austin's David Horst avoided a pair of Vancouver defenders and headed the ball just wide of the goal. It appeared it was just a matter of time before Austin leveled the score.

Vancouver, however, wasn't finished.

On the Whitecaps' first offensive opportunity of the second half, in the 65th minute, Gbeke struck for a second time with his league-leading 11th goal delivering a snap header past Noble and the near post following a cross from Takashi Hirano.

Austin's Alexandre once again answered with a goal of his own in the 76th minute. After receiving a long ball from McMahen, Alexandre outmaneuvered a Vancouver defender then slotted a shot toward the far post past a hard-charging Nolly to again cut the lead down to one.

It wasn't enough for the Aztex who now travel to Miami for a Saturday night matchup against. Kickoff is scheduled for 7PM (CDT).



USL First Division Stories from September 3, 2009


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