Lynx hang on for 1-1 draw
August 20, 2006 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Toronto Lynx News Release
TORONTO - Despite playing a man short for most of the game, the Toronto Lynx hung on for a 1-1 draw with archrival Rochester on Sunday evening.
The game was the second of a home-and-home set, with the first also ending in a 1-1 draw on Friday in Rochester.
Midfielder Kevin Jeffrey scored for the Lynx, which improved to 6-12-5 and 23 points, while midfielder Aaran Lines replied with his first of the season for the Rhinos (10-4-9, 39 points).
The draw stretched the Lynx's winless streak to four after a run of five games without a loss.
It also moved the Rhinos into sole possession of second place just four points behind the Montreal Impact, which has two games in hand.
Toronto put itself in an early hole just five minutes into the match when midfielder Gordon Chin was sent off for headbutting Lines near midfield.
Despite the disadvantage, the Lynx took the play to the Rhinos in the first half, creating solid scoring chances and testing Rhinos goalkeeper Scott Vallow.
The Lynx were rewarded for their strong play in the 21st minute when it opened the scoring on Jeffrey's goal. Matt Palleschi sent a pass to a streaking Jeffrey, who took the pass on the right side and deposited a low shot by Rhinos goalkeeper Scott Vallow for his fifth goal of the season.
The goal put Jeffrey into a tie with midfielder Jamie Dodds for the team lead in goals. It also continued a hot run of late for Jeffrey, who has scored all of his goals in the last eight games.
Rochester came out of the halftime break a different team.
The Rhinos raised their pace and created a flurry of quality scoring chances, especially between the 50th and 60th minute mark.
They capitalized in the 57th minute and evened the score on Lines' goal. Lines got his revenge on the Lynx when he took a loose ball from a goal area scramble and found the back of the net with a low shot through a maze of defenders.
Both teams made substitutions down the stretch to push for the go-ahead goal, but both Vallow and Toronto Lynx goalkeeper Theo Zagar stepped up with great saves to preserve the tie.
The Lynx play four of their final five games at home with the next one at home this Wednesday evening against the league-leading Montreal Impact.
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USL First Division Stories from August 20, 2006
- Lynx hang on for 1-1 draw - Toronto Lynx
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