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Aztex Roll Rowdies; Remain Unbeaten in 7 Matches

August 7, 2010 - U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Austin Aztex News Release


AUSTIN, Texas (www.austinaztex.com) - The Austin Aztex used four first-half goals to win a thrilling 4-2 match against the Tampa Bay Rowdies Saturday night at House Park.

Austin avenged two previous ties with the Rowdies this season by setting a club record for goals in a half with four in the first 45 minutes.

The action got started in the 16th minute when Aztex midfielder Jamie Watson's cross found Aztex center back Jay Needham in the middle of the box. Needham powered his header past Rowdies' goalkeeper Daryl Sattler for his first goal of the season.

Austin added to its 1-0 lead in the 18th minute when Lance Watson scored his second goal of the season. J. Watson found forward Max Griffin out wide on the left side of the field. Griffin then took the ball down the left side of the Rowdies' goal box and crossed the ball to the penalty spot where a wide open L. Watson's one-touch finish put the Aztex ahead 2-0.

Tampa Bay got one back in the 23rd minute after Austin captain Kevin Sakuda was called for a foul inside the Aztex goal box. Tampa Bay midfielder Ricardo Sanchez stepped up to take the penalty kick for the Rowdies and placed it to the right side of the goal, beating Aztex goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo.

Sanchez also played a part in the Rowdies second goal in the 25th minute when he pushed the ball down the middle of field and played a through ball in behind the Aztex backline to a streaking Long Tan. Tan took a couple touches before beating Gallardo to tie the game at 2.

A case of déjà vu hit the Aztex in 35th minute when J. Watson's cross from the left side of the field once again found the head of Needham, whose header was able to squeak past Sattler for the second time this game.

Just three minutes after the goal, Tampa Bay had Tan was ejected after a reckless foul on Austin newcomer Tyler Hemming.

With the man advantage, Austin cemented its lead in stoppage time of the first half when M. Griffin's effort put them ahead 4-2. Griffin received a ball from Austin midfielder Lawrence Olum at the top of the Tampa Bay goal box and used a tricky array of moves to get behind his defender and calmly put the ball into the back of the net.

A two-goal and one-man advantage gave the Aztex the ability to slow the game down in the second half and keep possession of the ball. It also allowed the Aztex to bring on newcomer Randi Patterson.

Patterson was the second player in the game to make his first official appearance for the Aztex joining Hemming.

The first-place Aztex now sit at the top of the league with 41 points this season; five points ahead of the second place Rochester Rhinos.

Austin returns to action on August 22 when it faces-off with the Carolina RailHawks for the first time this season.



U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from August 7, 2010


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