Stars blank Silverbacks for second time this season

Published on June 4, 2011 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Atlanta Silverbacks News Release


The NSC Minnesota Stars defeated the Atlanta Silverbacks 2-0 at Atlanta Silverbacks Park Saturday night. This is the Silverbacks' third loss to the Stars this season.

Minnesota (4-4-2) started the game off fast, pressuring the Silverbacks (0-2-7) from the first kick. In the third minute, forward Devin Del Do opened the scoring for the Stars, chipping a ball clearly over the head of goalkeeper Felipe Quintero.

In the 30th minute, Del Do almost doubled his tally when he lifted an attempt over Quintero's head that squarely hit the crossbar. Four minutes later, Atlanta came inches away from equalizing, when midfielder Raphael Cox earned a free kick. Midfielder Ciaran O'Brien swerved a cross into the box and found defender Willie Hunt, who headed the ball into the crossbar.

After the second half got underway, O'Brien kicked a shot from 25 yards out, forcing Stars goalkeeper Joe Warren into a diving save. The ensuing corner kick lasered its way through the crowded box to defender Tyler Ruthven, but Ruthven sent it wide of the net. Atlanta suffered another missed opportunity in the 63rd minute when an O'Brien shot reached the penalty area. Several players knocked the ball around before Hunt flicked it to the goal, deflecting it off a Minnesota defender before Warren made the save.

After the panic in front of its own goal, Minnesota quickly countered: Defende Brian Kallman crossed a ball into the box, finding an open Del Do in front of goal. He headed the ball into the net, scoring his second goal of the game and giving the Stars a 2-0 advantage.

O'Brien again tested Warren's goal in the 78th minute, taking a direct free kick and shooting to the near post, but Warren easily caught the ball. A minute later, midfielder Lucas Paulini crossed a ball to forward Emsad Zahirovic's head but the glancing header skipped wide.

The Silverbacks failed to score for the fifth straight game and are still winless on the season. The team's next game is this Wednesday, June 8 against the MLS-bound Montreal Impact.

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North American Soccer League Stories from June 4, 2011


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