Cougars Lose First, Fall to Texas in Overtime
December 6, 2008 - Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL)
California Cougars News Release
STOCKTON, Calif. - Dec. 5, 2008 - Mike Uremovich and the Texas Outlaws (3-2) handed the Stockton Cougars (3-1, 4-1) their first Professional Arena Soccer League loss during Friday's 10-9 overtime thriller at Stockton Arena. Uremovich nailed an unassisted strike from the Stockton yellow line with 8:56 remaining in the overtime quarter to give Texas the road win.
Neither team led by more than one point at any given time in the game until Texas took a 9-7 lead midway through the fourth quarter. Brian Farber, however, quickly changed that in the final moments of the fourth. He sent the Cougars to the extra time by hitting two fourth quarter goals as time ran out. His first goal (2:11 remaining) cut the Texas lead to 9-8 and his second, with just 20 seconds remaining, tied the match at 9-9.
The teams battled for possession throughout the first few minutes of the overtime quarter and had matched each other in shots on goal until Uremovich's shot at the 8:56 mark. He was able to slip through the Cougars defense and find a low open slot that was out of the reach of Cougars goalkeeper Jesus Molina. Molina allowed a season high 10 goals in the match. He saved 21 of 31 shots faced in his first loss of the season.
In a play reminiscent of last season's 8-6 overtime win (11/30/07 at the Wachovia Spectrum in Philadelphia) against the Philadelphia KiXX, Farber took the ball deep into Texas territory and looked to have set up a scoring opportunity. But, unlike the play in Philadelphia, Farber was not able to set up the scoring chance. Instead, Gabriel Arredondo horse-collared Farber down to the floor while Farber attempted to set up his shot. Arredondo was given a yellow card for obstruction on the play. Play continued from the spot of the foul.
Farber had two goals and one assist in the match. Head coach Bernie Lilavois led his team with four points, including two goals and two assists. However, he was ejected from the game after receiving a red card for foul language during the fourth quarter.
Dalitso Muluzi had the first goal of the game and it gave the Cougars a 1-0 lead with 11:04 left in the first quarter.
Renato Pereira and Franck Mbemba gave the Outlaws the 2-1 lead late in the first quarter. Mbemba finished with two goals against his old team.
Antonio Sutton tied the match with text book strike off a restart midway through the second quarter. Sutton had two goals in his return to the Cougars line up. Aaron Susi had a goal and two assists.
The Cougars led just two times in the match. Muluzi's goal to open the scoring gave them the initial lead. Lilavois' goal in the third quarter gave the Cougars a 5-4 advantage. The game saw nine lead changes before the final goal was struck in the overtime period.
Texas out shot Stockton 44 to 32 in the match.
The Cougars are 4-2 all-time in overtimes. They are 2-2 all-time at home in golden-goal/overtime situations. The last time they went to overtime in a match was on 11/30/2007 at the Wachovia Spectrum in Philadelphia. Brian Farber assisted Chris Handsor on the golden goal to give the Cougars the 8-6 road win.
The Cougars were without Greg Howes, Evan McNeley and Majell Aterado in the match.
About the Stockton Cougars
Announced on February 28, 2004, the Cougars made their competitive debut as a member of the now defunct Major Indoor Soccer League in November, 2005, with the beginning of their first 30-game regular season. The Cougars announced their move to the Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL-Pro) prior to the 2008-09 season. They began competitive play as an inaugural member of the PASL-Pro on October 25, 2008 at Stockton Arena against the Colorado Lightning. Located in Stockton, California, the Stockton Cougars play their home games at the state-of-the-art Stockton Area, an integral piece to the city's developing waterfront district. Stockton Arena opened to the public in December, 2005. For additional information about the Cougars, contact Greg Young, Director of Media Relations, at (209) 373-1550 or visit the Stockton Cougars' official website: www.stocktoncougars.net.
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Professional Arena Soccer League Stories from December 6, 2008
- Cougars Lose First, Fall to Texas in Overtime - California Cougars
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