Key Win Keeps Strikers in Postseason Hunt
September 20, 2014 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (Saturday, September 20, 2014) - FafàPicault got the ball rolling for the Strikers, scoring the fastest goal in team history in a 2-1 victory against Indy Eleven in front of 3,112 fans at his Lockhart Stadium on Saturday night. Jaime Frias equalized for the visitors before halftime, but Martin Nuñez grabbed the winning goal in the second half to keep the Strikers in the hunt for a place in The Championship.
It took just 28 seconds for the Strikers to get going against Indy. Picault got on the end of a low cross from Darnell King to notch his team-leading ninth goal of the year with the fastest goal in NASL action this year.
"I think the team really played well against an unbelievably good team," said Strikers Head Coach G-nter Kronsteiner. "We didn't allow them to have too many chances, and we created some good opportunities. It's important to get three points, especially at home, so this is an important win against a very good Indy team."
King nearly grabbed his second assist of the night in the 15th minute, but Mark Anderson's effort from just inside the box struck the bar.
The intensity dropped off and Indy leveled the scoring just a few minutes before halftime. A corner kick to the back post was headed across goal by Cory Miller for teammate Jaime Frias to redirect past Kamil Contofalsky at the near post.
The Strikers started the second half with similar intensity to the first. Within the first five minutes of the restart Indy goalkeeper Kristian Nicht was called into action twice to deny Picault and watched as a Nuñez' effort dragged just wide of goal.
Nuñez made no mistake with his next attempt. Clever combination play from Picault and Shawn Chin in midfield led to Chin slipping Nuñez behind the defense and through on goal. Nuñez rounded Nicht and finished into an empty net to put the Strikers in front 2-1.
Both teams made changes as the Eleven searched for an equalizer. Forwards Mike Ambersley and Don Smart came on to give Indy a push in the final 25 minutes, but no clear scoring chances materialized.
As the Strikers controlled the ball to run out the four minutes of added time and secure an important home victory.
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North American Soccer League Stories from September 20, 2014
- Nine-Goal Thriller in Carolina Headlines Wild Night of Fall Season - NASL
- Strikers defeat Indy Eleven 2-1 at home - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Scorpions Fall 2-0 in Front of Record Crowd of 8,313 Fans - San Antonio Scorpions
- United Sting Scorpions in Statement Game to Secure Top Spot in NASL Standings - Minnesota United FC
- Eleven Defender Jaime Frias Nets First Goal, but Indy Can't Keep Undefeated Streak Going - Indy Eleven
- Key Win Keeps Strikers in Postseason Hunt - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Match Preview: Carolina RailHawks Host New York Cosmos - North Carolina FC
- Tonight: Atlanta vs Ottawa at Silverbacks Park - Atlanta Silverbacks
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