Stockton's Miracolous Comeback Falls Short, Cougars Lose 12-11 In Overtime
February 6, 2009 - Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL)
California Cougars News Release
STOCKTON, Calif. - Feb, 5, 2009 - Majell Aterado's go ahead fourth quarter goal was not enough to finish off the storybook ending at Stockton Arena on Thursday night. The resilient Stockton Cougars (10-5 Overall, 7-3 PASL-Pro) battled their way back from an early six goal deficit to take a slim one point fourth quarter lead before letting it slip away to Genoni Martinez and La Raza. Monterrey walked off with a 12-11 overtime win after Martinez netted the game winning golden goal at the 13:26 mark of extra time.
Martinez led all scorers with seven points in the match. His line totals included three goals and four assists. Greg Howes and Brian Farber led the way for Stockton with each scoring three goals in the match.
Monterrey (5-0 PASL-Pro) set the early and dominant tone with three first quarter goals. The first by Joel Busti, the second by Ivan Medina and the final strike by Mariano Bollella. But, it was Howes who ended the streak in the second with a goal at the 13:23 mark of the quarter.
Head coach Bernie Lilavois activated Howes before the game in hopes of countering La Raza's offensive attack. Howes did that and more. He scored three goals in the match and finished with a team best five points.
Despite all the efforts of Howes and the Cougars offense in the thrilling match, it was Martinez who finished as the headliner in the game. He finished with a game best seven points including three goals and four assists. He rocketed the game winner in the overtime no more than a foot from the shootout mark.
Stockton's six goal deficit was quickly tightened during the third quarter. They outscored Monterrey 5-2 in the third and 4-1 in the fourth. Overall they out shot Monterrey 22-14 in the second half and outscored them 9-3.
The second half scoring started early in the third with Uriel Robledo netting a goal at the 13:35 mark. It was then followed by one of two penalty kick goals from Howes. Dave Vedder cut the lead to 8-5 with a long bounding goal that found its way around Aaron Susi and then through the outstretched hands of Jose Bontti.
Bontti allowed 11 goals in the victory while playing all 60 minutes in goal for Monterrey.
McDougall turned around his disappointing first half by playing a dominant third and fourth quarter. His inspired play in the second half saw him allow just three goals on 10 shots faced. His acrobatic stops helped to stifle La Raza's attack and set up scoring opportunities at the other end of the field.
Martinez answered Stockton's 4-0 run with a third quarter goal which immediately followed Vedder's midfield strike.
Susi moved the momentum back to Stockton's side with a goal at the 8:34 mark of the third. His goal closed the game to 9-7.
Armando Teran put Monterrey up 10-7 late in the third, but Lilavois brought Stockton within two again with his first goal of the match. It came with just two seconds left in the third.
The fourth quarter opened with four consecutive fourth quarter goals. Farber had two - and three total in the game - in the final quarter. His first came at the 14:41 mark and was followed by Howes' third. Farber then tied the match by netting a roller through the legs of Bontti with 10:44 left in the game.
Aterado - who did not travel to Arena Monterrey last Friday - put Stockton on top in the match for the first and only time when struck a power play goal with 4:46 remaining. It was the only true power play goal scored in the match for Stockton. They scored two penalty kicks set up by blue card penalties in the goal box and wasted two other power play situations.
Despite the fourth quarter heroics, Martinez stole the show from Stockton. His fourth quarter goal with 3:31 left in the game tied things at 11-11.
Stockton's defense held, but a late 6th foul - committed by Howes - set up a power play situation against Stockton with just :15 seconds left in the match.
The Cougars were able to hold their own into the overtime, but Martinez struck the deflating goal with 13:26 left in the overtime to end the match. The penalty did carryover into the extra time.
It was the second time this season the Cougars have lost an overtime match at Stockton Arena. The first occurrence happened during a December 5 loss to Texas.
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Professional Arena Soccer League Stories from February 6, 2009
- Stockton's Miracolous Comeback Falls Short, Cougars Lose 12-11 In Overtime - California Cougars
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