Strikers Extend Unbeaten Streak to Four, Tie Silverbacks on the Road
October 11, 2014 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
Atlanta, GA (October 11, 2014) - The Fort Lauderdale Strikers extended their unbeaten streak to four games and Fafa Picault found the back of the net for the 12th time this season as the visiting Strikers tied the Atlanta Silverbacks 2-2 in Silverbacks Park Saturday night. The Strikers had the opportunity to take all three points in the match, but gave up an own goal in the 89th minute of the match. The Strikers next take on the Carolina Railhawks in Cary, NC in a crucial match which may determine who takes the final spot in the playoffs.
The Strikers created several chances in the first half and held the Silverbacks at bay. Aly Hassan, who started the match at forward alongside Fafa Picault, had several opportunities in the half, scoring his second goal of the season on a header that went over the Silverbacks' goalkeeper Eric Ati and into the net. The assist on the play came from Shawn Chin, his third assist in two games. Hassan had four shots in the half, including one that hit the cross bar in the 13th minute of the match.
Playing their third match in seven days may have caught up to the Strikers in the second half as Atlanta was the more aggressive team and controlled the ball for most of the final 45 minutes.
The Strikers defenders were caught a little flatfooted in the 47th minute and Junior Sandoval saw and took the opportunity from about 25 yards out to tie the match 1-1. This was Atlanta's first goal since September 14th, five matches ago, when they lost 3-2 against the Cosmos.
The Silverbacks had plenty of chances in the second half, including a great fingertip save by Strikers goalkeeper Kamil Contofalsky on a shot by Shaka Bangura in the 53rd minute that would have given the home team the lead.
With time starting to get short, the Strikers brought in Jenison Brito for Aly Hassan. In the 79th minute Brito made a great run up the field and beat two Silverbacks defenders to the top of the box, and taking the shot on Ati. The goalkeeper was able to deflect the ball wide, but Strikers leading scorer Picault found the rebound and put it in the back of the net, giving the Strikers the 2-1 lead with just 11 minutes left to play.
The Silverbacks didn't' give up and continued to press, and with just one minute left in regulation Strikers defender Rafael Alves attempted to clear the ball off a Silverbacks shot, but instead put it in the back of his own net, knotting up the score at 2 with under a minute left.
Up next
The Strikers travel to Carolina on Saturday, October 18th to take on the Railhawks in their third consecutive road game. The Strikers then finish off the season at home against FC Edmonton on October 25th and against Ottawa Fury FC on November 1st. Tickets to Strikers home games start at $12 in advance and can be purchased on www.Strikers.com/tickets or by calling 954-606-0400.
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North American Soccer League Stories from October 11, 2014
- Late Goal Seals Cosmos' Victory over Ottawa - New York Cosmos
- Scorpions Emphatically Punch Postseason Ticket with a 7-0 Victory over Tampa Bay - San Antonio Scorpions
- Indy Eleven Scores First Home Win - Indy Eleven
- Indy Eleven's First Home Win Headlines Saturday's Week 14 Results - NASL
- Strikers Extend Unbeaten Streak to Four, Tie Silverbacks on the Road - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Minnesota United Blanked by Indy Eleven 2-0 - Minnesota United FC
- Match Preview: Carolina RailHawks at FC Edmonton - North Carolina FC
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