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Scorpions Drop 2015 Spring Season Opener to Tampa Bay 1-3

April 5, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
San Antonio Scorpions News Release


SAN ANTONIO, Texas - The San Antonio Scorpions lost the 2015 NASL season opener to the Tampa Bay Rowdies by a final score of 1-3.

The Rowdies got on the board early as their first set piece of the match turned into the opening goal of the evening. In the 10', Tampa midfielder Georgi Hristov sent in a corner kick from his team's attacking right that went just over the Scorpions defense. Defender Stefan Antonijevic rose to meet the ball and powered a header past San Antonio goalkeeper Jon Kempin.

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FOR PRE-GAME PRESENTATION WITH MICHAEL KELLEY CLICK HERE FrlOnhRUJhjT_Rth2iYzZMW0g]

Most of the rest of the first half was a physical midfield battle as the sides racked up five yellow cards, with four going to the visiting Rowdies. But in stoppage time and just seconds before the whistle for halftime, Tampa Bay found their second. On a scramble in front of the box, forward Corey Hertzog pounced on a loose ball and poked a short shot into the goal before Kempin could get to the ground and save it.

The best chance of the opening frame was an early long range hit from midfielder Marvin Chavez. The 25-yard strike bounced off of Tampa 'keeper Kamil Contofalsky's hands before ricocheting off the post and then out of danger. Then in the second half, Chavez again beat Contofalsky only to see his shot again hit the woodwork instead of the back of the net.

The Scorpions finally got on the scoreboard in second half stoppage time. Midfielder Rafael Castillo powered a 25-yard shot that caromed forcefully off the crossbar, but this time fortune smiled on the red and black as the ball bounced straight towards second-half substitute Omar Cummings. The ball took an odd hop, but the Jamaican international deftly knocked the ball downwards and into goal.

But Tampa Bay had already put the game out of reach with their third goal in the 60'. A turnover in their own end by the San Antonio defense gave forward Corey Hertzog time and space to line up a shot from just outside the left side of the 18-yard-box. He took his chance well and placed it into the far corner past an outstretched Kempin.

Prior to the match, the Scorpions awarded returning 2014 players their NASL Championship rings. Michael Kelley, a special-needs basketball player from Wichita, Kansas, was the honored guest of the team and participated in the ceremonies - including being awarded his own championship ring.

Next Saturday, the Scorpions have their Spring Season bye week and next play on April 18 against Indy Eleven at Toyota Field. The Rowdies will have their 2015 home opener at Al Lang Stadium against Minnesota United.

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