Cougars finish preseason schedule against Estadio Azteca All-Stars
October 15, 2007 - Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
California Cougars News Release
Stockton, CA - Oct. 15, 2007 - The California Cougars, of the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL), announce their preseason finale against the Estadio Azteca All-Stars of the Premiere Arena Soccer League (PASL) at Estadio Azteca in Sacramento on Saturday, October 20, 2007 beginning at 7:00pm. Tickets to the event are $5.00 for adults and kids are free to attend.
The event marks the third match of the preseason against a PASL team for the Cougars. The Cougars are undefeated in their preseason having won three straight matches starting with a 15-6 win over the Stars of Mexico, a 31-0 victory against the PASL Summer National Champions the Stockton Pumas and a 15-6 win in Turlock against the Turlock Express of the PASL.
California made Estadio Azteca their official training facility for all of the 2006-07 season. This exhibition game is the first visit the Cougars have made to Sacramento this season. A post game autograph session will take place for Cougar fans.
Estadio Azteca is located at 1960 Railroad Dr., Del Paso Blvd. in South Natomas. They can be reached at (916) 921-0222or by fax at (916) 921-0999.
Results from Turlock:
Midfielder Gordon Chin led off the scoring with a goal just two minutes into the game. He was then followed by Semir Mesanovic who scored his fourth goal in two games to make it a 4-0 game.
A miscommunication gave the Express their first score of the night. An errant pass intended for Sanaldo found the net for a three point goal. The own-goal was just the second goal allowed by the Brazilian goalkeeper this preseason. Sanaldo and the Cougars' defense held the 4-3 lead through the end of the first half.
In the third the Cougars seemed to find a groove and acclimated themselves to the small field in Turlock. On an assist by Gordon Chin, Enrique Tovar connected on a three-point goal just as a power play penalty was coming to an end against the Express. The Cougars led it at that point 7-3 with 9:34 left in the third.
Six minutes later the Cougars scored again with Haitham "Souly" Sultan launching a goal above the Express goalkeeper. Sultan's top shelf goal gave California a 9-3 lead, it was Nelson Santana who picked up the assist.
Luis Pinto then scored for California in his second game played as a Cougar. Pinto's goal gave the Cougars the 11-3 lead with just 2:14 left in third. Both Pinto and former Monterrey La Raza draftee Lee Williams saw extended time during the second half.
Sanaldo departed at the end of the third quarter and in came newly signed back-up goalkeeper Matt McDougall. McDougall made a few saves before allowing a three-point goal by Hugo Brambilla into the net. The Express cut the Cougars lead to 11-6 with 11:29 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Defender Matt Caution was called for a slide tackle penalty with 8:28 left in the fourth. It wasn't the first time that the Cougars played a man short in the game. California was hurt by the house rules used by the officials. The Cougars seemed to be down a man throughout the first half. That foul put Caution on the penalty bench for two minutes and the Express were given a good opportunity to find the net again. However, the Cougars kept the Express at bay and Nelson Santana took advantage of a breakaway downfield to will his shot into the goal. Santana weaved his way through two defenders to force a goal through the defense, giving the Cougars the 13-6 lead with 7:18 left.
Former Sacramento State standout and MISL rookie Pedro Lupercio capped off the night for the Cougars with his first goal of the preseason. Lupercio's goal made it 15 - 6 with 5:44 left in the game.
Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from October 15, 2007
- Cougars finish preseason schedule against Estadio Azteca All-Stars - California Cougars
- Baltimore Adds Depth To Roster With Four New Players - Baltimore Blast
- Four teams vie for final two playoff berths; DC United wins Supporters' Shield - MISL 2
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