Scorpions Comeback Falls Short against Charlotte

Published on June 5, 2012 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
San Antonio Scorpions News Release


SAN ANTONIO, TX (June 5, 2012) - A late comeback effort by the San Antonio Scorpions came up short in a 2-1 loss to the Charlotte Eagles in the fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup.

Forward Pablo Campos scored the lone goal for the Scorpions, who finished among the final 16 teams in the national tournament.

San Antonio will return to NASL competition with a league matchup against the Atlanta Silverbacks on Saturday, June 9 at Heroes Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. with the Scorpions battling for a chance to take first place in the league standings.

"We had a number of opportunities but we just couldn't finish them," Scorpions Head Coach Tim Hankinson said. "That ended up being the difference."

Both teams played inspired soccer from the starting whistle. In the opening minute, Scorpions forward Esteban Bayona sprinted down the left side of the field for his first shot on goal with a precisely passed ball from midfielder Hans Denissen that sailed wide of the goal.

Bayona would continue to slice up the Eagles defense in creating two more shots for himself in the 8th and 17th minute, but neither shot found the back of the Charlotte net.

Eagles forward Nathan Thornton cut through the middle of the San Antonio defense and finished with an accurate 25-yard shot into the upper left corner of the goal, giving Charlotte a 1-0 lead in the 28th minute. That was the first goal Scorpions keeper Daryl Sattler had allowed in three U.S. Open Cup matches.

In the 37th minute, high-scoring forward Pablo Campos tried to draw the game even with the Eagles when he fired a shot that rolled under Charlotte keeper Irwin Clinton, but the ball bounced off the right post.

The Scorpions continued looking for the equalizer and in the 75th minute Campos fired a header that finally found the back of the Eagles net to tie up the match at 1-1.

The game eventually went into overtime and the Scorpions had a chance to break the deadlock in the 94th minute when Bayona dodged two Charlotte defenders and ventured into the box, but could not finish the great chance.

Charlotte midfielder Chris Salvaggione sprinted down the right side of the field in the 98th minute and delivered a shot on goal, but Sattler was able to make the save to keep the match even. The Eagles' threatened again in the 100th minute as a Mauricio Salles free kick made its way on goal, but Sattler made another save.

In the 101st minute, Scorpions midfielder Wes Knight tried to give the Scorpions the lead, but his shot from 20 yards was collected by Charlotte keeper Clint Irwin. The Eagles responded in the 104th minute with another scoring chance by Miguel Ferrer shot was denied by Sattler on the other end.

In the 115th minute, the Scorpions were called for a handball inside the box, setting up Salles for a penalty kick that put the Charlotte Eagles up 2-1 in the final minutes.

A last minute effort by the Scorpions to find the tying goal fell short to end San Antonio's first U.S. Open Cup run.

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North American Soccer League Stories from June 5, 2012


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