Strikers Close Final Game at Lockhart Stadium with Victory
July 30, 2016 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - A final chapter is written at historic Lockhart Stadium, and it is written with a victory for the home team.
The Fort Lauderdale Strikers closed their final match at the stadium they have called home since 1977 with a 1-0 victory over the Jacksonville Armada thanks to a late goal by Maicon Santos.
"After so many matches (three) in 10 days, we needed the three points. We had a full week of recovery for our players and we were a more rested squad. We are so happy to come back to the match sharpness that we needed," said Head Coach and General Manager Caio Zanardi.
The Strikers are changing venues as of August 20th, moving to Central Broward Stadium in Lauderhill where they will play their first game against Ottawa.
It was a dominant performance by the Red and Gold side from start to finish, capped with their first win of the Fall Season. However, the Strikers left it late not clinching the victory until two minutes from full time. Fort Lauderdale had ten shots on target but didn't record a goal until the final one beat Sean Lewis, the Jacksonville keeper.
After numerous opportunities throughout the game, Maicon scored with a half-volley from 10 yards out in the 88th minute after the ball came back to him off an Armada defender from his initial header. The goal came from a corner kick taken by substitute Adrianinho who came into the game just two minutes earlier.
The set piece opportunity came after Lewis made a spectacular save on a shot by Paulo Jr. during the preceding play.
In addition to the shot that led to the corner kick, Paulo Jr. had a pair of other scoring chances in the 33rd and 54th minutes, forcing Lewis to make good saves both times.
Maicon also got on the end of a couple of other chances with a header in the 40th minute and a run in the box and shot on target in the 10th minute.
Ramon Nunez was another Striker who worked hard to get on the score sheet with a free kick in the 13th minute, one shot from just outside the box in the 36th minute and an over the crossbar attempt in the 56th minute.
Fort Lauderdale goalkeeper Bruno made two quality stops in the later stages of the second half to keep a clean sheet by turning away shots by Jacksonville substitutes Danny Barrow and Charles Eloundou.
North American Soccer League Stories from July 30, 2016
- Cosmos Back in First After Setting NASL Record with 10th Straight Home Victory - NASL
- After Exciting FinishUnited Earns a 2-2 Draw on the Road - Minnesota United FC
- Miami Grinds out 2-1 Win over Spring Season Champs - Miami FC
- Indy Eleven Fall to Third in NASL Fall Season Standings - Indy Eleven
- Fury FC Blank Rowdies for Third Straight Win - Ottawa Fury FC
- Tampa Bay Rowdies Blanked 2-0 by Ottawa Fury FC - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- Valiant Effort Spoiled by Maicon Santos' Late Goal - Jacksonville Armada FC
- Strikers Close Final Game at Lockhart Stadium with Victory - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
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