| |
| |
Shell Shockers fall to Patriots
July 21, 2007
New Orleans Shell Shockers: 1 (Wooley 65’)
El Paso Patriots: 2 (Griego 28’, Barrera 90’)
In a match that had playoff implications from the opening kick, the New Orleans Shell Shockers (5-6-5) lost a hard-fought battle to the El Paso Patriots (8-6-2) by a score of 2-1. The Patriots will represent the Mid South Division in the PDL playoffs along with the Laredo Heat (10-2-5).
First half action is brisk and Shell Shockers goalkeeper Dustyn Brim is forced into making a couple early saves to keep the Patriots off the board. Meanwhile on the offensive end, the Shell Shockers look to a Jamie Davies cross to inspire them but it is cleared out of danger by a Patriots defender.
In the 28th minute, El Paso opens the scoring when Enrique Cervantes sends a dangerous cross into the Shell Shockers six yard box which Michael Griego promptly heads past a helpless Brim.
Just two minutes before halftime Davies sends a free kick into the box from 20 yards out. A hard-charging Quinn is able to get a head on it but his attempt is well over the bar. The Patriots come back down the field with Omar Mora controlling the ball at the top of the 18. He lays the ball off from Rodrigo Morin, who’s one-time right-footed shot is just wide of the right post.
Just as the clock reaches the 45 minute mark, the Shell Shockers are called for a foul in the box, and Mora steps up to take the penalty kick. His shot heads towards the right side of the goal but Brim makes a great diving save to keep the Shell Shockers within one.
New Orleans comes out dangerous in the second half, forcing Patriots goalkeeper Jorge Muniz to make a save by heading the ball away. In the 54th minute, Jared Wooley’s shot comes dangerously close to the far post but it is just wide and El Paso earns the goal kick.
In the 62nd minute, the Patriots are awarded a free kick 25 yards out. Enrique Cervantes sends a curving ball towards the far post but Luke Tyburski does well to head it away. Moments later El Paso earns a corner kick but again the Shell Shockers defense is there as Gannon Webb clears it away.
Twenty minutes into the second half, Davies takes a beautiful shot that is deflected across the endline by Muniz, earning a corner kick for New Orleans. After the ball is passed around the penalty area, the Shell Shockers earn another corner kick. Davies gets it right this time, getting the ball to a waiting Ged Quinn who puts the ball in the back of the net to even the score.
In the 73rd minute Griego again gets in the action as a cross from the left side heads towards the center of the penalty area. He heads the ball towards the goal but Brim is there to make the save.
PJ Kee is fed the ball 30 yards out and finds himself with plenty of space. He takes a couple touches and unleashes a right-footed shot but the attempt is just wide.
After a flurry of red and yellow cards, including the ejection of Kee, Barrera for the Patriots scores a goal on the counter attack giving them a one-goal edge. Moments later head coach Kenny Farrell is also sent to the locker room early.
Starting lineups:
New Orleans Shell Shockers: Dustyn Brim, Ged Quinn, Adam Gold, Gannon Webb, Luke Tyburski, Chris Denuna (Stephen Duncan 77), Stuart Hayers, PJ Kee, Josh Couvillion (Dean Grey 83), Jamie Davies, Jared Wooley
El Paso Patriots: Jorge Muniz, Carlos Dominguez, Carlos Martinez, Esteban Palacios, Santiago Pinedo, Enrique Cervantes (Antonio Barrera 77), Omar Mora, Rodrigo Morin, Daniel Castaneda (Ariel Chavez 56), Michael Griego, Mario Garcia
| Shots | Saves | Fouls | Corner Kicks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOSS | 6 | 4 | 13 | 8 |
| EPP | 12 | 4 | 23 | 4 |
Scoring Summary:
EPP – Griego (Cervantes) – 28th minute
NOSS – Quinn (Davies) – 65th minute
EPP – Barrera – 90th minute