Menyongar, Torres Combine For Two in Thunder Victory

Published on September 5, 2002 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Minnesota Thunder News Release


EL PASO, Texas (Sept. 5, 2002) - The Minnesota Thunder defeated the El Paso Patriots despite playing the remaining 24 minutes of the game short-handed after forward Orrett Prendergast was ejected from the game for dangerous play. Excellent defensive play in the back, a stellar performance in the net by goalkeeper Joe Warren and the offensive work of Johnny Menyongar and Johnny Torres up front, proved to be an unbeatable combination for the Thunder in tonight's 2-1 win. Both Menyongar and Torres each notched a goal and an assist in the match to lift the Thunder to victory over the Patriots.

The Thunder will face the Patriots again on Saturday, as it hosts the second leg of the series in the first round of the playoffs. The match, which is being broadcast nationally on Fox Sports World, begins at 7 p.m. at the National Sports Center in Blaine.

The Thunder needs a win or a tie on Saturday in order to advance to the next round in the playoffs. A one- goal loss by Minnesota would force the game into sudden death overtime. The winner of the series will advance to face the Milwaukee Rampage in the Western Conference Semi-Finals.

The Patriots got on the scoreboard first with a tally in the 7th minute of the game. El Paso forward Daniel Frias, who notched two goals and an assist when the Patriots visited Minnesota July 20, got his team off to the early lead. Midfielder Jose Abarca was credited with the assist after serving a pass over the Thunder defenders to Frias' feet, who then shot the ball into the upper left corner of the net.

The Thunder didn't let El Paso's first goal of the night go unanswered, and fired back two of its own in rapid succession to take over the lead midway through the first half.

Forward Johnny Torres, who scored the game-winning goal in the Thunder's 1-0 victory over Milwaukee last Friday, pumped up Minnesota's offensive attack in the 25th minute with a tally from the help of Johnny Menyongar. Four minutes later, the Thunder struck again, only the second time around it was Menyongar with the goal and Torres with the assist in the 29th minute.

In the Thunder's first goal of the night, Menyongar played a through ball to Torres, who broke into the penalty box to go one-on-one with El Paso keeper Jesse Llamas. Torres beat Llamas and slide the ball inside the far post to tie the score at 1-1.

Minnesota's second goal was scored in a similar fashion, with Torres dishing the ball to Menyongar who ran onto it inside the penalty box. Llamas came out of his net to attempt the save, but Menyongar got past him and slammed the ball into the back of the net.

Throughout the second half, Minnesota had several other opportunities to score, but El Paso's defense managed to deny the Thunder.

Orrett Prendergast entered the game for Johnny Menyongar in the 62nd minute, but just four minutes later he left the field after receiving a red card for a slide tackle from behind. The Thunder was forced to play the remainder of the match one man down, and the Patriots peppered Joe Warren with a barrage of shots. Despite playing short, Minnesota's defense, led by Warren played outstanding and held on to earn the win.

The Thunder will be holding a training session tomorrow at Urban Ventures in Minneapolis in preparation for its first home playoff match on Sept. 7. All Thunder players, as well as head coach Buzz Lagos, will be available for interviews from 4-5 p.m. tomorrow. Urban Ventures is located two blocks north of Lake St. and Fourth Ave. S. in Minneapolis.

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USL First Division Stories from September 5, 2002


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