Aztex Clinch Playoff Berth with Last Night's Victory

August 23, 2010 - U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Austin Aztex News Release


AUSTIN, Texas ( www.austinaztex.com) - A 3-2 victory over Carolina combined with the results from the rest of the USSF Division-2 Pro League over the weekend gave the Aztex a spot in the playoffs for the first time in their brief two-year history.

"I'm delighted that with nine games left in the regular season still, we've achieved our first goal for this year in reaching the playoffs," Aztex President and Owner Phil Rawlins said. "I now look forward to pressing on with our next goal -- bringing a championship to Austin."

In just 21 games this season, Austin has nearly tripled its win total from the 2009 campaign and already shattered its record for goals in a season. Austin's trio of leading scorers (Eddie Johnson, Max Griffin, Jamie Watson) are amongst the league leaders in nearly every offensive category and have outscored two of the league's teams by themselves.

Overall, the Aztex hold an eight-goal advantage over the Rochester Rhinos' total of 32 goals and own a +16 goal differential, which is also the best in the league.

The Aztex have reached this point on a torrid pace throughout the year, losing just three times in 21 games, with unbeaten streaks of eight (May 1-June 9) and seven (June 19-August 7) games. Currently, the Aztex stand as the No. 3 seed in the playoff race, but are just four points back of the No. 1 Rhinos with four games in hand and own the league's best winning percentage at .619.

"To clinch a playoff spot this early in the season in only our second year in professional soccer is a true credit to the club and everyone connected to it. It's taken a great effort by both the players and the coaching staff," Head Coach Adrian Heath said. "Now we have to try and push on and win the league."

This week, the Aztex are taking on the second and fourth best teams in the league on the road at Vancouver (Saturday) and Portland (Thursday), respectively, before returning home for a game against NSC Minnesota. They wrap up the year with five of the last six games on the road and seven of the last nine overall away from home.

"We've come a long way in a short time and have to keep building on that," Heath said.

Tickets for the playoffs will go on sale tomorrow online at www.austinaztex.com. Tickets will be $15 for adults and $12 for children (15 and younger) online only! Walkup prices will be $20 for adults and $15 for children.

The playoff game will kickoff at 7:30 p.m. on either October 6 or October 9. The eight-team playoff is a home-and-home aggregate.



U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from August 23, 2010


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