|
David slays Goliath, Cougars lose 5-4 in Overtime to Estadio Azteca
Sunday Dec 13, 2009
TURLOCK, CA – DEC. 13, 2009 – Clemente Fonseca's golden goal game winner knocked the California Cougars (3-1) out of the United States Arena Soccer Open Cup Tournament and gave the Estadio Azteca All-Stars a 5-4 overtime win versus the Cougars at Turlock Indoor Soccer on Sunday.
Estadio Azteca played an extremely physical match, as proved by their 23 total fouls in the match. They were given three blue cards for accumulation of fouls in the upset victory.
The match was California’s first in the Open Cup Tournament. The Cougars advanced to the Open Cup finals last season before withdrawing before the championship match. Estadio Azteca is one of several amateur Premier Arena Soccer League (PASL-Premier) teams in the nationwide tournament.
Estadio Azteca’s Jaime Portillo scored the games first goal with 10:53 left in the first quarter. The All-Stars took a 2-1 lead to the second half, but saw the Cougars rally back to tie the game, and take the lead in the third quarter.
Brian Farber tied the match with a power play goal midway through the third quarter. Majell Aterado gave the Cougars a 3-2 lead with :05 left in the third, and Farber extended the lead to 4-2 with 13:33 left in the fourth.
Jose Martinez scored two fourth quarter goals for Estadio Azteca. His second was a power play goal that tied the match at four apiece.
The Cougars scored two power play goals in the loss. Estadio Azteca matched California with two power play goals of their own. They took advantage of a yellow card against Ernesto Bueno, and a blue card against Hugo Brambila to tie the match in the fourth.
Fonseca scored beyond the reach of California goalkeeper Nelson Santana with 5:21 remaining in overtime to win the match.
Santana, normally a midfielder, played in goal for all of the fourth and overtime quarters. California’s starting goalkeeper Jesus Molina was ejected with a red card with 3:41 remaining in the third quarter.
Molina exited his goal and ran towards midfield after Santana was upended by Portillo in the Estadio side of the field. Molina and Portillo were both ejected.
The Cougars next play the Tacoma Stars on Saturday, December 19 at Estadio Azteca in Sacramento. The match starts at 7:00pm and tickets are $10 each.
|
