League Play-Off

Halesite
Spectators: 35 (Terracing: 27, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Orlando Busch made the kick off which started today's match. After 10 minutes, Salvatore Rucker mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the SJ Earthquakes and the MONTERREY players grew even worse after the yellow card. In the 10th match minute, SJ Earthquakes was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Salvatore Rucker to maneuver through the defense. The crowd rose to their feet as Salvatore Rucker kicked a wonderful shot that went in to the left of a diving Merle Kincaid. That made the score 1-0 in the 12 minute of play. Virgil Sizemore sent away a hard shot on goal in the 19th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Virgil Sizemore sent away a hard shot on goal in the 21st minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. 23 minutes in the game, Marvin Lentz fired away an excellent shot, which passed to the side of the right post without Merle Kincaid having to interfere. MONTERREY's Merle Kincaid proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 26th minute of the match, managed to save MONTERREY from getting a goal against them. MONTERREY's Merle Kincaid played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Salvatore Rucker in the 28th minute of play. Virgil Sizemore struck a weak shot in the 29th minute. Merle Kincaid didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for SJ Earthquakes. In the 34th minute of the match SJ Earthquakes got a corner. MONTERREY's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Virgil Sizemore ran over to the corner to take the kick. Virgil Sizemore made a great header on SJ Earthquakes's corner, it was just that MONTERREY's Merle Kincaid managed to reach the ball for a save. In the 40th minute, Marvin Lentz fired away a shot on goal. He put a little to much spin on the ball and sent it just wide of the right post. Merle Kincaid showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Salvatore Rucker in the 42nd minute of the match. After 43 played minutes MONTERREY got a freekick which was hit by Zane Pollard. 45 minutes into the game, Salvatore Rucker recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Merle Kincaid. Salvatore Rucker showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 2-0. No-one was surprised that the home team were leading 2-0 at half-time.

After having played for 53 minutes, Marvin Lentz managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. SJ Earthquakes's supporters crossed their fingers, but Marvin Lentz was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. If Marvin Lentz had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 55th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After having played for 56 minutes, Marvin Lentz managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. SJ Earthquakes's supporters crossed their fingers, but Marvin Lentz was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. If Virgil Sizemore had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 58th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. An unexpectedly hard shot by Marvin Lentz in the 60th minute of play forced MONTERREY's goalkeeper Merle Kincaid to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Tory Blue was in the perfect position, and the defense had done a good job marking him, but Zane Pollard showcased his skills and made a perfect shot to score 2-1 in the 61 minute of play. In the 66th minute, German Carson hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 70th minute, Marvin Lentz got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. In the 74th match minute, MONTERREY was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Ted Rafferty to maneuver through the defense. When SJ Earthquakes's Johnathon Case in the 79th minute got a chance for a shot 79th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye MONTERREY's goalie prevented a goal. Tory Blue was in the perfect position, and the defense had done a good job marking him, but Zane Pollard showcased his skills and made a perfect shot to score 2-2 in the 82 minute of play. After 86 played minutes SJ Earthquakes got a freekick which was hit by German Carson. In the 89th minute, Johnathon Case got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. Marvin Lentz sent away a hard shot on goal in the 95th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After some fancy dribbling in the 96th minute, Marvin Lentz managed to get in a good position for a shot. SJ Earthquakes's supporters rose to their feet, but Marvin Lentz was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Merle Kincaid breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick.