Thunder's 4-3 Victory Not Enough to Advance Past Vancouver

Published on September 28, 2008 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Minnesota Thunder News Release


BLAINE, Minn. (September 28, 2008)- The Minnesota Thunder ended their season tonight in a great 4-3 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps. With goals from four different players, the Thunder battled hard until the final seconds to post their last victory of the 2008 season.

The Thunder started off the game on the wrong foot, giving up the first goal in the 3rd minute. Charles Gbeke sent a through ball to Alfredo Valente who beat the Thunder defense who was left back on their heels and down 1-0 in a crucial match.

Luchi Gonzalez had a standout game for the Thunder, with four shots and a goal in the 23rd minute. His first chance came in the 12th minute when Gonzalez ripped a shot that was tipped over by Whitecap goalie Jay Nolly. The Thunder dominated the game offensively, earning three corner kicks in the first 15 minutes. The Thunder was desperate for a goal, and they needed at least four to advance at that point in the game.

Gonzalez's goal came in the 23rd minute after a pass from Stephen deRoux. DeRoux turned and sent the ball to the top of the box where Gonzalez hit a perfect shot into the back of the Whitecap net, evening the score at 1-1.

Both teams were heated by halftime, after Vancouver scored again in the 44th minute. Lyle Marten sent a ball to Martin Nash who collected it at the top of the box and slid the ball past Thunder goalkeeper Nic Platter. Although the Thunder had eight shots before halftime, the Thunder went into the locker room down a goal.

The Whitecaps seemed to secure their advance in the 55th minute when they took a 3-1 lead. Nash sent a ball through Thunder defender John Greenfield to Eduardo Sebrango who was left open on the far post. Sebrango found the back of the net, and seemed to be fairly confident with their 3-1 lead.

In the 64th minute, the Thunder made it 3-2. A Vancouver defender tipped a ball back to Nolly, but the pass was anticipated by Melvin Tarley who got a foot on it and scored. The Thunder kept the tenacity up and kept pressuring for more points.

The Thunder had another chance shortly after their second goal. Ricardo Sanchez sent a cross over to Brian Cvilikas who headed the ball far post to Gonzalez. Gonzalez's shot was hit out by a Vancouver defender, but was thought to be a hand ball in the box. In the 77th minute Sanchez was sent off for verbal dissent, forcing the Thunder to play down a man.

In the 79th minute, deRoux scored for the Thunder, evening the score again at 3-3. Gonzalez took the corner kick, finding deRoux who followed the ball into the back of the net. The Thunder kept the pressure on for the final ten minutes, posting four shots that all were positive opportunities.

In the 90th minute, the Thunder took the lead, after a foul inside the penalty area. Freddy Moojen stepped up to take the kick, hitting near post and scoring for the Thunder. The Thunder kept the pressure on hard in the final seconds of the game, and came out happy with at least a win in their last game in 2008. Just one goal away from overtime, the Thunder couldn't seem to beat a tough Vancouver team.

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USL First Division Stories from September 28, 2008


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