Force Blanks Dallas For First Shutout In Nine Years

March 14, 2004 - Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
Cleveland Force News Release


CLEVELAND, OHIO - The Cleveland Force played host and defeated the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) Western Division leading Dallas Sidekicks by a final score of 4-0 at the Convocation Center at Cleveland State University.

The shutout marked the first career shutout for Force goalkeeper Jim Larkin as well as the first shutout in nine years for Cleveland. The last time the franchise posted a regular season shutout was back on January 20, 1995 when the Crunch and goalkeeper Otto Orf defeated the Canton Invaders 20-0. In addition, Larkin recorded career-high 31 saves in the game.

With the win, the Force snapped a three game losing streak and improved to 10-21 overall, 6-6 versus Western Division opponents, 3-1 in the season series and 6-9 at home. With the loss, Dallas fell to 17-13 overall, 6-6 versus Eastern Division opponents and 4-11 on the road.

Cleveland opened the scoring (1-0) when Justin Evans scored the power play goal off the assist from Lee Edgerton at 12:42 of the first quarter.

The two teams battled to a scoreless second period. The scoreless second quarter marked the 10th time this season that the Force was unable to find the back of the net during the period.

Cleveland opened the second half scoring (2-0) when Adauto Neto got credit for the goal as Sidekicks defender Sinsia Alebic put the pass back by goalkeeper DJ Horvath for the goal just 43 second into the third quarter. The Force added to their lead (3-0) when Braeden Cloutier found the back of the net off the cross from Zoran Karic at 3:00 of the third quarter.

Cleveland closed out the scoring (4-0) when John Ball scored the goal against the Dallas sixth attacker off the long outlet pass from Hector Marinaro at 14:04 of the fourth quarter.

The Force will next play host to the Eastern Division Philadelphia KiXX in the final trip to Cleveland for the KiXX this regular season on Friday, March 19 at Cleveland State University on Sunday, March 14 to take on the MISL Western Division leading Dallas Sidekicks. The game can be heard live on WHK 1220 AM in Cleveland as well as 1440 AM WHKW in Warren or worldwide on the Internet at www.thesportsking.com starting at 7:35 p.m.



Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from March 14, 2004


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