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NASL FC Edmonton

Eddies Wrap up Road Trip with 1-0 Clean Sheet Victory

July 18, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
FC Edmonton News Release


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FC Edmonton
(FC Edmonton)

FC Edmonton (2W-2D-0L) capped off their three-match road trip with a 1-0 win over North American Soccer League (NASL) combined table leaders Tampa Bay Rowdies at Al Lang Stadium.

Defender Mallan Roberts was instrumental in the Eddies goal in the match, getting a head on the goal that would eventually be credited as a Rowdies own goal. Between the woodwork, Eddies goalkeeper Matt VanOekel was awarded Man of the Match honours after a clean sheet performance.

Both teams struggled to keep possession at the start of the match, as the pitch was extremely wet due to the heavy rain prior to kick-off.

The Eddies began to settle into the match 15 minutes in, when midfielder Cristian Raudales attempted to score from long-range, but his powerful shot went over Rowdies goalkeeper Matt Pickens' net.

Tampa Bay Rowdies responded with an opportunity four minutes later. Former Eddies striker Corey Hertzog entered the right side of the area and cut inside to shoot on target before his attempt was blocked by Eddies captain Albert Watson.

The Rowdies accumulated a handful of chances before halftime, including a dangerous free kick by defender Ben Sweat that would go high.

Both sides would head into the half in a 0-0 deadlock.

After a pair of chances for both teams to open the second half, the Eddies took advantage of a corner kick opportunity on 56 minutes to take the 1-0 lead. Roberts got over the Rowdies defense and got a head to the ball that hit Antonijevic before going into the net.

The Rowdies responded with pressure after going down a goal, but the home side could not crack VanOekel and the Eddies defense. VanOekel's highlight save featured an excellent one-on-one save. Moments later, Eddies defender Kareem Moses cleared a dangerous ball to preserve the Eddies' one-goal lead.

The Eddies slowed down Tampa's offensive storm during the final 10 minutes of the match and held onto their 1-0 score line to register their second clean sheet of the Fall Season.

"I'm so proud of this group of players," Colin Miller said. "What a phenomenal effort in the third game in this heat and humidity in less than seven days."

The Eddies will play their first match of the Fall Season at Clarke Stadium next Sunday, July 26 versus Atlanta Silverbacks. Get tickets to the match HERE. For more information, visit www.fcedmonton.com.

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