Aztex Regain Control of First Place With Home Victory

Published on September 25, 2010 under U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Austin Aztex News Release


AUSTIN, Texas (www.austinaztex.com) - The Austin Aztex played Saturday night's rematch against AC St. Louis like their season was on the line - and it was. A loss earlier in the day by Rochester gave the Aztex an opportunity to reclaim first place and come within one win of clinching the top seed in the USSF D-2 Pro League playoffs.

Austin came out of the gate with a firestorm on St. Louis goalkeeper Alec Dufty, who was able to ward the Aztex off for only the first 14 minutes. After a corner kick was given to the Aztex, Jamie Watson drove a ball deep into the box that was headed by Jay Needham and punched out. On the rebound, Michael Callahan lined up and drilled the shot past Dufty, who could do nothing to stop it after the initial diving save. The goal was Callahan's first points of the season and first career goal for the Aztex.

AC St. Louis then thought they had the game tied up at 1 in the 28th minute when Luis Gil received a deep ball that forced Miguel Gallardo off his line at the top of the box to knock it away from the 16-year old striker. On the rebound, Gauchino fired a shot that was saved by the right foot of defender Mechack Jerome, who was covering Gallardo's net.

The Aztex struck on the counter attack off yet another corner by J. Watson that found the head of Kieron Bernard who took advantage of the opportunity with his first career goal for the Aztex.

The offensive showdown continued to build momentum in the 35th minute when Gauchino drove St. Louis within a goal on a shot from the right side of the box that squeezed inside the post past Gallardo. Five minutes later, Gauchino continued to gouge the Aztex defense with a cross that found the foot of Luke Kreamalmeyer. Kreamalmeyer knocked in the ensuing shot and tied the game at 2.

Max Griffin broke the deadlock out of the locker rooms when Yordany Alvarez set him up with a ball outside the 18-yard box on the right sideline. Instead of attacking the net, Griffin floated a ball over the head of Dufty for his ninth goal of the year. Griffin nearly struck again on a highlight-reel attempt with a back-footed flick while in the air in the 61st minute.

Randi Patterson closed the game out for the Aztex in the third minute of stoppage time with a breakaway goal, beating the keeper with a dribble and sending a soft shot in to ensure the victory.

With the win, the Aztex moved back into first place over Rochester, in what has been a see-saw battle for the past two weeks. Austin can clinch the top seed with a victory next Friday at Carolina or October 3 at Montreal.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from September 25, 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