Two Second Half Goals Lead Stars to Victory

Published on June 26, 2010 under U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Crystal Palace Baltimore News Release


Baltimore, MD - Crystal Palace Baltimore was defeated tonight by the NSC Minnesota Stars, 3-1, at Paul Angelo Russo Stadium, located on the campus of Calvert Hall College High School. Minnesota opened the scoring in the 17th minute, as Warren Ukah gave the visitors a 1-0 lead. Five minutes after the halftime break, Tsuyoshi Yoshitake scored his first goal for Baltimore off of a splendid free kick. In the 65th minute, Brian Cvilikas' third goal of the season made it 2-1 for the Stars. Minnesota polished off the game with a goal from Andres Arango in the 81st minute. The victory improves Minnesota's record to 6-8-2, while Baltimore falls to 3-7-3.

Minnesota provided the first scoring opportunity of the match four minutes in, but a shot from the left wing by Scott Lorenz sailed high over the net. On nine minutes, Neto countered for Baltimore, but his effort from the top of the box also missed the target. The Stars piled on the pressure in the 13th minute, forcing goalkeeper Evan Bush to make a timely save against Kyle Altman. Three minutes later, Chris Clements received the ball from a Daniel Wasson corner kick, but his shot went just left of the post.

The visitors broke the deadlock in the 17th minute, as Warren Ukah maneuvered his way brilliantly past four Baltimore defenders, before hitting a strike from nine yards out that eluded the reach of Bush. The Baltimore goalkeeper did well to save his side from further embarrassment in the first half, as he stopped two close range shots from Ukah and Geison Moura mere minutes after the opening goal.

With temperatures hovering in the 90s, Baltimore head coach Jim Cherneski was forced to make three substitutions in the first half. Dan Lader, Paul Robson, and Gary Brooks replaced Lucio, Stephen Basso, and Santiago Fusilier before 35 minutes had elapsed. The fresh faces couldn't create any major scoring chances before halftime, although Tsuyoshi Yoshitake and Mathew Mbuta challenged the Minnesota defense in the final minutes of the half. Both players, however, were unable to slot the ball past netminder Joe Warren.

Five minutes after the restart, Baltimore earned a free kick 25 yards from goal. Tsuyoshi Yoshitake stepped up and delivered a fierce, curling strike into the top right corner of the net, leveling the contest at 1-1.

In the 57th minute, Melvin Tarley had to be replaced by Brian Cvilikas after a clash of heads with Palace striker Gary Brooks left him battered and bloodied. The substitute would pay dividends for Minnesota eight minutes later. After a failed shot attempt by Geison Moura, Cvilikas looped the ball over Bush towards the goal. Val Teixeira gave it his all to clear the ball off the line, but the ball reached the back of the net to give the Stars a 2-1 advantage.

Minnesota dominated the next 15 minutes of play, creating four shot attempts to Baltimore's one. The visitors would seal the result in the 81st minute. A corner from Daniel Wasson took a deflection off of Andres Arango, leaving Bush with no chance to make a save, as Minnesota extended their lead to 3-1.

Baltimore has now lost four out of five home matches this season. They will make the return trip to Minnesota for their next league match on July 4th. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:30 pm.

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U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from June 26, 2010


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