USSF D-2 Minnesota United FC

NSC Minnesota Stars defeat AC St. Louis 3-2

May 30, 2010 - U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Minnesota United FC News Release


Blaine, Minn. (May 29, 2010) -

Neil Hlavaty tucked away a goal in the 88th minute to give the NSC Minnesota Stars a 3-2 win over AC St. Louis at the Nataional Sports Center in Blaine Saturday.

The Stars scored two unanswered goals in the second half for the win. Hlavaty's goal was his second in as many games and gives the Stars three much-needed points.

"It's huge, especially being at home," said Hlavaty, who scored just seven minutes after being subbed into the game. "It's fun to say the least to be able to come in and make an impact."

Hlavaty's goal gave the Stars' its third win; a victory it had been searching for since its home opener win over Tampa Bay. Players are looking to use the win as a launching point for a midseason run.

"We're hopeful it will jumpstart our season," Stars' midfielder Kyle Altman said. "One win can turn into two wins, and two wins can turn into three."

Things didn't look good Saturday for even one win as St. Louis got on the board first with a Luke Kreamalmeyer goal. St. Louis' Steve Ralston, who was playing in just his second game after ACL surgery, made a strong run up the right side and fed a pass through to Jefferson De Lima. De Lima touched it through to Kreamalmeyer for the opening goal.

The lead was short lived though as Daniel Wasson knotted things up heading into halftime. Wasson struck a header past St. Louis goalkeeper Alec Dufty after Brian Cvilkis flicked a throw-in into the box.

St. Louis again got out to a one-goal lead after halftime when De Lima beat Stars goalkeeper Joe Warren on a 25 yard strike from the middle of the field. The shot appeared to cross up Warren and left the Stars trailing by a goal.

"Not again," Altman said when asked about his thoughts when they fell behind 2-1.

The Stars stepped up though, and took the play at St. Louis, creating a flurry of chances in the final 20 minutes.

"The guys decided to dig down deep and fight back," coach Manny Lagos said. "That kind of resilience speaks for itself."

The Stars were rewarded for its fight in the 73rd minute when Altman put through a game-tying goal after Stars pressure kept the ball in St. Louis' box just long enough.

The Stars continued to press St. Louis' defensive zone after the tying goal, but Dufty turned away great chances by Stars forwards. It appeared Minnesota would be forced to settle for a tie until Hlavaty snuck through and pushed through the winning goal.

"He wanted it," Lagos said of Hlavaty. "It's a big win. There was a lot of pressure to get three points."

The Stars got the three points, snapping an over month-long drought of winless soccer that had dropped Minnesota into fifth place in the USL Conference. The win raises Minnesota to a tie for seventh in total league standings, currently good for a playoff spot.

The Stars next game is on the road Friday, June 4 against the Rochester Rhinos at 6:30 p.m. CDT. Fans can watch the game live on www.nscminnesota.org.

Stars Lineup: GK Joe Warren, D Daniel Wasson, D Andres Arango (Scott Lorenz, 46), D Chris Clements, D Kevin Friedland (Brian Callman, 89), MF Kyle Altman, MF Two-Boys Gumede (Simone Bracalello, 65), MF Johnny Menyongar (Neil Hlavaty, 81), MF Kentaro Takada (Leland Wright, 89), F Melvin Tarley, F Brian Cvilikas.

AC St. Louis Lineup: GK Alec Dufty, D Dillon Barna, D Mark Bloom, D Christian Nzinga (Alex Titton, 70), D Anthony O'Garro, MF Mike Ambersley, MF Jeff Cosgriff, MF Ryan Moore, MF Steve Ralston, MF Luke Kreamalmeyer (Cole Troy, 72), F Jefferson De Lima

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