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GET READY TO RUMBLE
Thursday Feb 18, 2010
The Cougars last game at the Stockton Arena of the 2009/10 season. Don't Miss It!!!
Cougars vs Edmonton- The greatest arena soccer game ever played? Many who have been around the game for years say it was, and it is the greatest game in Cougars history, even thought the game last week against San Diego was pretty spectacular.
You may have missed it, or need a reminder. Watch the video and read last years article from the Stockton Record.
We will see you Thursday February 25th at the Arena.
For Groups of 10 or more call: 209-373-1550
By Kevin Niendorf
Record Correspondent
March 15, 2009 12:27 AM
STOCKTON - A dramatic overtime goal by Aaron Susi, his third score of the night, sent the Stockton Cougars into the PASL-Pro championship match.
The Cougars defeated the Canadian Division champion Edmonton Drillers 10-9 on Saturday night to set up today's 1 p.m. final against 1790 Cincinnati at Stockton Arena. The Cougars lost to 1790 earlier this season in overtime in Cincinnati.
Susi said being mobbed by teammates following his game-winner was a new experience.
"It feels good for the team and it feels good for the city of Stockton," said Susi. "I've never done that before in the playoffs."
Coming off a restart, Cougars player-coach Bernie Lilavois found Susi in the corner and began to set up the play.
"I have a tendency to do a little toe-poke with it," Lilavois said. "It was a little bit of luck and a little bit skill. The only place I could put it was high and toward the far post. This game shows it's not going to be a walk in the park against any team."
Susi's game-winner came with 7:01 remaining in overtime after both teams failed to score during power-play situations.
Lilavois credited goalkeeper Jesus Molina (20 saves) as the reason the Cougars remained in the game long enough to win it.
"He played out of his mind," Lilavois said. "He stopped a breakaway point-blank and then again down low on their power play. He really, really saved us tonight."
Following a 9-9 score after regulation, both teams had a man advantage but both goalies denied every shot.
After Susi's first goal gave the Cougars a 1-0 lead, the Drillers silenced the hometown fans when a trio of players scored consecutive goals for a 3-1 lead after the first quarter.
Player-coach Bernie Lilavois scored just 16 seconds into the second quarter when teammate Brian Farber, collecting his second assist, hit him with a solid pass. Lilavois, unguarded because of a defensive breakdown, then fired a high shot from the top of the goalie box for the score.
The Drillers led 4-2 with 10:51 remaining in the second quarter when Eric Pinnell made the second of two close-range shots. With Stockton's frustration mounting and tempers beginning to flare, the Cougars' Majell Aterado, Antonio Sutton and Ato Leone scored to give Stockton a 5-4 halftime lead.
It took game officials nearly five minutes to clear the field as players from both teams began jawing at each other over perceived rough play.
Edmonton regained the lead by scoring the first three goals of the third quarter for a 7-5 lead. But the Cougars saw an opportunity as a dangerous play penalty on the Drillers gave Stockton a 5-on-3 advantage.
Susi scored his second goal during the penalty and then Leone tied the game at 7-7 on Sutton's assist.
Farber, the league's most valuable player, scored 17 seconds into the final quarter to give Stockton its second lead of the game. That was short-lived when Edmonton's Sean Fraser scored 30 seconds later to make it 8-8.
The Cougars again took the lead, 9-8, on Uriel Robledo's goal, but a tripping call on Pedro Lupercio led to a power-play goal by Edmonton's Phil Pavicic.
The game stayed tied until the end of regulation, although Aterado thought he'd scored the game-winning goal just as the horn sounded. Edmonton argued the goal's validity and the officials agreed that time had run out.
For Groups of 10 or more call: 209-373-1550
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