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Scorpions Drop the Inaugural Hill Country Derby 1-4 to Austin

March 14, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
San Antonio Scorpions News Release


SAN ANTONIO, Texas - The San Antonio Scorpions dropped the inaugural Hill Country Derby 1-4 to the Austin Aztex at Toyota Field on Saturday night. Championship Final hero Rafael Castillo scored the lone goal on the evening for the Scorpions.

The Aztex showed early on that they weren't intimidated by playing the defending NASL Champions as they scored their opening goal in only the 5th minute of play. Austin midfielder Tony Rocha sent in a free kick from 25 yards away that tall Brazilian Guaraci redirected with a powerful header. The ball rocketed past Scorpions goalkeeper (and San Antonio native) Matt Cardone, who was caught moving to his right as the ball went back to the near post.

Billy Forbes almost tied the match in the 8' when he was sent in on Aztex 'keeper Devin Perales one-on-one by César Elizondo. Forbes tried to fake the goalie into a dive, but Perales stood his ground and saved Forbes' chip attempt.

Just three minutes later, the ATX made the Scorpions pay for the missed chance as Guaraci struck again. Cardone saved an initial shot on goal by the Aztex, but was unlucky when his parry fell directly to the feet of Guaraci. The Brazilian was quick and sure with his shot and the Austin side had an early 2-0 lead.

In the 27', the red and black had another golden opportunity as Perales was caught out of his net after he moved to intercept a cross, but the ball fell to a wide-open Elizondo. The striker took a touch to set up his shot on an open net, but Aztex centerback Kyle Hoffer hustled to hoof out what looked to be a sure goal.

Austin made the home side pay yet again just minutes later. In the 32', Brendan King drove in towards the left edge of the Scorpions' 18-yard-box from the wing and uncorked a far upper-90 special from the harsh angle that Cordone had no chance to stop.

The match went to the half 3-0 in favor of the visitors, but could have easily been 3-3 as Elizondo had another chance from inside the six-yard-box go wide just before first half stoppage time commenced. The lead grew to 4-0 at the 66' mark when a penalty was called on Julius James for taking an Austin player down in the box. King stepped to the spot and buried the PK.

The Scorpions finally got on the board in the 74' when Marvin Chavez sent a beautiful looping ball over the top of the Austin defense that found Castillo on the end of a perfectly timed run. Castillo hit a low, hard shot to the far post for the final score of the night.

San Antonio's next match will be an international friendly against the Costa Rica U-23 National Team on March 28th at 7:30pm at Toyota Field.

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