Sports stats



Aztex Record-Setting Season Comes to an End

October 9, 2010 - U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Austin Aztex News Release


AUSTIN, Texas (www.austinaztex.com) - Only two years into their professional existence, the Austin Aztex grabbed the No. 3 seed in the USSF D-2 Pro League playoffs, but saw their record-setting season come to an end on Saturday night at the hands of the Montreal Impact in an action-packed 3-2 finish at House Park.

Montreal opened up the high-paced action in the fourth minute of the game when Ali Gerba put yet another dagger in the Aztex off of a free kick from defender Philippe Billy. The French forward wasn't done yet though. At the open of the second half with Austin tied 1-1, Gerba gave his team a 2-1 lead in the game, but more importantly, a 4-1 aggregate lead in the series.

Despite being with the Impact for only the second half of the season, Gerba's total of 13 goals puts him at third in the league.

Austin fought back valiantly all night and constantly pressured the Montreal defense causing Coach Marc Dos Santos' heart to "skip a beat."

"What we did tonight was beat an excellent team," he said. "Austin's offense is a coach's nightmare."

After Gerba's first attack, Austin raced back down field with multiple attempts and was rewarded in the eighth minute after Lance Watson was fouled by Billy in the box for an Aztex penalty kick. Jamie Watson lined up to take the penalty, only to have it saved by Matt Jordan diving to his left. The save was a sign of things to come for Montreal's keeper and the spoiled Aztex efforts.

Eddie Johnson had a chance that rolled just wide of the net, then a minute later snapped off a header into the one spot that Jordan was able to reach and keep it out of the net. In the 28th minute, Max Griffin took a turn trying to foil Jordan's perfect game, but had his shot punched out on a diving effort. J. Watson then followed up the act with a blast that was saved.

Overall in the first half, Jordan matched the Aztex intensity, making four extraordinary saves that shut out the USSF D-2 Pro League's top-scoring team until the 43rd minute of the game. Finally then, J. Watson played a ball into the box for M. Griffin who placed the ball perfectly past Jordan, while falling down under the pressure of being sandwiched by two defenders.

Aztex goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo was not to be outdone though. Gallardo also made four sparkling saves in the half, time and time again stopping the Impact's breakaway attempts to keep his team within range.

As Gerba was breaking the hearts of Aztex fans with four goals in the two-game series, Eddie Johnson reminded Aztex fans why he finished second in the league in every major offensive scoring category. Lawrence Olum set him up for the 57th-minute goal to once again tie the game.

Despite needing two more goals in the last half hour of the game, the Aztex kept pushing forward and firing at will on substitute goalkeeper Srdjan Djekanovic. Djekanovic made a few key stops in the half as well, which eventually led to the undoing of the Aztex season in the 89th minute. Eddy Sebrango finished the home team off with a breakaway goal that proved to be the final tally at House Park in 2010.

Austin finished the season with 15 wins, 10 more than a season ago, and a league-high 55 goals.

In other action in the playoffs, second-seeded Carolina advanced with a 4-0 aggregate score over NSC Minnesota, while the No. 1 Rochester Rhinos fell 3-2 against No. 8 Puerto Rico. Montreal will move on to face Carolina in the semifinals and Puerto Rico will take on the winner of the Vancouver-Portland series.



U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from October 9, 2010


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.

OurSports Central