Dallas Sidekicks Fall to Ontario Fury 6-5 Despite Second Half Comeback
Published on November 10, 2013 under Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL)
Dallas Sidekicks News Release
Ontario, CA (Nov. 10, 2013) - Less than 24 hours after a victory against reigning PASL champions San Diego, the Dallas Sidekicks dropped their first game of the season with a 6-5 loss in Ontario. Despite the Sidekicks overcoming a three-goal deficit in the second half, the expansion team new to the league this season defeated the Sidekicks in the fourth quarter in their home opener at the Citizens Bank Arena. The Sidekicks are now 2-1 for the season so far.
Both sides of the pitch saw a lot of action in the first quarter, but it was Ontario who came out on top. Fury forward Israel Sesay scored the first goal of the night at 6:08, making a run behind the Sidekicks defense and nailing a shot in the upper left corner of the net and out of goalkeeper Sagu's reach. An impressive bicycle kick from Sidekicks forward Bronil Koochoie tied up the game, but Ontario followed up with two consecutive goals 46 seconds apart from Jayro Martinez and Luis Henrique Pinto, giving the Fury a 3-1 lead after the first 15 minutes.
Ontario's pressure on the Sidekicks' defense continued in the second quarter, Miguel Sanchez wrestling the ball away and scoring from a severe angle at 4:26. Jamie Lovegrove put the Sidekicks back in it at 5:44, beating Ontario goalkeeper Sanaldo Carvalho one-on-one in the air. A succession of Dallas penalties resulted in an Ontario powerplay, which Eli Gordley capitalized on to give the Fury a 5-2 lead going into halftime.
It was Dallas' turn on the powerplay that resulted in the goal that brought on a Sidekicks comeback in the third quarter, Nick Stavrou cutting a pass to Frank Mbemba, whose shot made it through a crowd of players and into the net at 3:44. A few minutes later, Lovegrove made a run down the side of the pitch to the net, playing off of the boards to Patrick Shamu who rocketed it past Carvalho. After killing off a powerplay, the Sidekicks went into the last 15 minutes of the game with a one-man advantage of their own and down just one goal.
The Sidekicks completed their comeback just 1:21 into the fourth quarter with a powerplay goal from Shamu that tied the game 5-5. Celebrations were short-lived however, Tino Nunez putting the Fury back on top just a few minutes later. A succession of Ontario powerplays resulted in no goals, and with a few minutes to go the Sidekicks pulled Sagu and sent defenseman Nick Stavrou out as the team's sixth attacker. The Sidekicks went hard to the net, but were unable to even up the score and Ontario held on to win it 6-5.
The Sidekicks return to the Allen Event Center on Saturday, November 16, to face the Tulsa Revolution at 7:00 p.m. The following afternoon at 3:00 p.m., the Sidekicks will face the Austin Capitals FC in the team's first ever US Open Arena Soccer Cup match. The Open Cup is a single elimination tournament open to any indoor soccer club in the United States. Premier Arena Soccer League teams as well as independent entries played in regional qualifying tournaments to enter the tournament bracket.
Individual and season tickets are on sale for all Sidekicks home games now through Ticketmaster. For more information, visit www.dallassidekicks.net or call 214-550-6130. Follow the team on Twitter @GoSidekicks or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoSidekicks.
Professional Arena Soccer League Stories from November 10, 2013
- Fury Win Opener 6-5 - Ontario Fury
- Dallas Sidekicks Fall to Ontario Fury 6-5 Despite Second Half Comeback - Dallas Sidekicks
- De Souza with Four Goals as La Fiera Win Home Opener - Hidalgo La Fiera
- Ontario Fury Game Day - November 10, 2013 - Ontario Fury
- Harrisburg Heat Falls in Cleveland - Harrisburg Heat
- Dallas Sidekicks Defeat Defending PASL Champs San Diego 5-3 - Dallas Sidekicks
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