Aztex Fall 3-2 to Seattle Sounders 2
September 18, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Austin Aztex News Release
SEATTLE, Wash. (Thursday, September 17, 2015) - The Austin Aztex and Seattle Sounders FC 2 left it all on the field, trading goal for goal Thursday night in Seattle. Ultimately the Sounders FC 2 found the game-winning goal late in the match as the Aztex (9-15-3) fell 3-2 on the evening.
The game started off with an action-packed opening half as a total of four goals were scored. The bad fortune for the Aztex looked to continue as, for the second consecutive game, they conceded a penalty kick in the opening minutes after the referee ruled Max Gunderson handled the ball in the penalty area. S2 midfielder Sergio Mota lined up and hit the penalty attempt past Cody Laurendi for the opening goal.
The Aztex would answer back just two minutes later after a Tony Rocha shot bounced off a defender and to Trevin Caesar on the right side of goal. Caesar took a shot with his first touch past S2 goalkeeper Charles Lyon to draw the game even.
Seattle would nearly retake the lead in the 21st minute when Damion Lowe broke free on a counterattack and smashed a shot toward the Aztex goal. Laurendi made a highlight-worthy save to punch the ball out for a corner and deny Lowe's attempt.
The Aztex would take the lead in the 38th minute off a counter when Romain Gall found the ball in space and no defensive pressure. Gall lined up and drilled a low shot that caromed off the left post and into the back of the net to bring the Aztex ahead.
Just like the opening goal for S2, Austin's first half lead proved to be short lived. S2 got a second chance from a corner kick, where they sent in the ball toward Nick Miele on the back post, who headed the ball over Laurendi. Ashani Fairclough finished off the play to draw the teams even at half.
Miele would strike again in similar fashion late in the second half to give S2 the 3-2 lead. Miele was left unmarked on the back post after the Aztex cleared away a corner kick. S2 defender Aaron Long hit a cross to Miele, who hit a first-touch volley past Laurendi.
With the result, Sounders 2 stop their losing skid and clinched the sixth and final spot in the USL's Western Conference playoffs. The Aztex will conclude their season versus the Vancouver Whitecaps 2 on Sunday, Sept. 20.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from September 18, 2015
- Keystone Derby at Forefront of East Playoff Picture in Week 27 - USL
- Arizona United SC Finishes Season with Tough Road Trip to Sacramento - Phoenix Rising FC
- Match Preview: Sacramento Republic FC vs Arizona United SC - Sacramento Republic FC
- Inaugural Season Concludes with King's Cup Finale - Saint Louis FC
- Rochester Hosts NY Red Bulls II Saturday Night - Rochester Rhinos
- Sounders FC 2 Clinches Final Postseason Spot with 3-2 Victory over Austin Aztex - Tacoma Defiance
- Aztex Fall 3-2 to Seattle Sounders 2 - Austin Aztex
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
