
Texas Outlaws Show that a House Divided Can Draw Fans
October 27, 2009 - Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL)
Texas Outlaws News Release
The Texas Outlaws split their squad into Blue and White sides and invited fans and media for and intra-squad scrimmage to inaugurate their new home TCG Arena at NYTEX Sports Centre. Over 2,000 fans came to the facility for a double-header event that paired the Outlaws' match with the home opener for the Texas Brahmas, defending champions of the Central Hockey League (CHL). It was the first opportunity for many fans to see NYTEX since last spring's deal to share the venue between the two clubs. The early match was a hard-fought see-saw battle in which the White-jerseyed Outlaws eked out a 6-4 win over the Blue.
White jumped out to an early lead when Casey Topletz redirected a corner kick cross into the back of the net less than 30 seconds into the first period. Jamie Harrigan doubled the lead with a goal in the middle of the quarter. The White defense held firm under some heavy Blue pressure to preserve the 2-0 margin heading into the first break. Blue struck first in the second frame, benefitting from a fortuitous bounce off a White defender that ended up in the goal.
However, Harrigan re-established the 2-goal cushion for White just a minute later, beating the Blue goalkeeper with a long free kick blast. But Blue remained in the game getting back to 3-2 near the half-time intermission when Ricky Gallardo launched a beautiful shot into the upper corner of the goal.
Blue knotted the score at 3 early in the third quarter with a "pinball" goal that struck several players on both sides before bounding into the goal. The score was credited to John Andrews, perhaps because he was the closest player or maybe in honor of his captaining the Blue squad.
But White scored consecutive goals again for a 5-3 lead. Derek Knutson netted White's 4th goal before the end of the third period, then Efren Castillo scored the eventual game-winner with a pretty volley on the power play in the fourth. Blue wasn't dead yet: when White committed its 12th foul of the game, the referees awarded Blue a breakaway shootout chance, their second of the game. Keegan Hudson took advantage, beating the White goalkeeper with a low shot. Soon after, Blue pulled their goalie and assigned Hudson to sixth-attacker duties. For 3 minutes blue pressed for the equalizer - they generated several good chances but couldn't quite find the net. Castillo closed out the scoring, adding a buzzer-beating (literally) empty-net goal to make it 6-4.
After the game, fans stuck around to gather autographs of returning stars from last year's Outlaws. While visiting with Texas players at Texas Toyota of Grapevine's sponsor booth, fans also registered to win a 42" big screen television (drawing to be held at the season finale).
"Tonight's game was an excellent exposure opportunity for us," said Texas Toyota's Richard Self. "We're really looking forward to supporting the Outlaws in the upcoming season and organizing publicity events to help both them and us."
The Outlaws continue pre-season play on Sunday, 1 November, as Tyler Threat FC visits TCG Arena. Tickets are available at www.txoutlaws.com or by calling (817) 846-8843. Texas' regular season opens on November 15th with a home game against the San Diego Sockers.
Professional Arena Soccer League Stories from October 27, 2009
- Brambila, Muluzi and Bueno Re-Up for New Season with Cougars - California Cougars
- Texas Outlaws Show that a House Divided Can Draw Fans - Texas Outlaws
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