Thunder Go On Win Streak of 2 and Lightning End Season With Draw

Press Release – Blaine, MN – Minnesota Thunder 07/18/09

Thunder Outlast Austin Aztex 1-0

Lightning Tie Cleveland Internationals 1-1 in Final Match of the 2009 Campaign

BLAINE, Minn. (Saturday, July 18, 2009) – The Thunder are on their first two-game winning streak in USL league play of the 2009 campaign with a win over the Austin Aztex 1-0.  It was a  physical game.  Minnesota dominated the ball but Austin was not without their chances. In the end, the Thunder walked away with their second victory in a row.

The Aztex came out firing on all cylinders and keeping Minnesota goalkeeper, Nic Platter, honest as early as the fifth minute.  The ball was deep in Minnesota territory when Sullivan Silva made the first attempt.  He had the ball 15 yards out and tried to go far side but a diving effort by Platter prevented the goal.

The Thunder had a pristine scoring opportunity, in the 17th minute, with a free kick just one yard outside of the penalty.  Austin committed a foul that was not severe enough for a card.  Ricardo Sanchez took the shot but missed high.

Rod Dyachenko had a similar chance in the 34th minute.  Austin was called for another foul near but still outside the penalty box.  Dyachenko took the shot this time and went for the goal but the ball was deflected by Reynolds, keeping the Thunder at zero.

The Thunder had yet another perfect scoring opportunity in the 36th minute from Melvin Tarley.  He took the ball in himself by weaving in and out of three Aztex defenders to get a wide open try.  Tarley shot the ball aiming for the top section of the goal but it was shot too high resulting in a goal kick.

Dyachenko logged the only goal of the game in the 40th minute.  Tarley received a pass with his back to the goal and flicked the ball back to Dyachenko.  He took the shot in stride and slipped the ball through several players including Reynolds for the only goal of the match.

Minnesota nearly went up by two in the 50th minute of the second half.  The Thunder offense passed the ball with Dyachenko finishing with a shot that missed just high.

Platter saved the Thunder from giving up the lead in the 60th minute.  Austin crossed the ball perfectly to Gifton Noel-Williams but Quavas Kirk positioned himself to prevent an open shot.  Noel-Williams did shoot but Platter collapsed on the ball at the near post with a reflex save keeping Minnesota in the lead.

Minnesota’s defense managed to keep Platter’s slate clean and after 90 minutes, the Thunder had their third win of the season.

“It was not our best looking game,” said Thunder president Manny Lagos.  “But three points is three points.”

The Thunder are still at home for three more matches and the next opponent is from Guatemala for an international friendly.  C.S.D. Comunicaciones will visit the National Sports Center for a Schwan’s USA Cup match on Wednesday, July 22 at 7:35 p.m.

For tickets, call the Thunder office at 763.390.8336.

MINNESOTA LIGHTNING

Saturday night’s game was the last Lightning match of their 2009 campaign and they ended the season with a 1-1 draw to the Cleveland Internationals.  Their playoff dreams have been shattered but with a 7-3-2 record the team played well all season long.  The Internationals broke the Lightning’s four-game winning streak and this is the first in four games to have an opponent score on Minnesota.

THUNDER STATS
Starting Lineups:
Minnesota: Platter, Kirk, Arango, Greenfield, Peterson, Olum, Bass, Sanchez (Friedland, 90), Dyachenko (Myers, 86), Cvilikas (Terminesi, 74), Tarley (Knox, 90)

Austin: Reynolds, Sakuda, Evans, Bernard, Alcala, Silva (Harwell, 74), Brown, Johnson, McMahan, Callaman (Caugherty, 68), Williams

Game Summary:
Scoring Summary
MIN: Dyachenko, 40

Game Statistics
Minnesota: Shots 9, Fouls 9, Offsides 4, Corners 3
Austin: Shots 3, Fouls 13, Offsides 1, Corners 4

Goalkeeper Statistics
Platter (Minnesota): Shots faces 2, Saves 2, Goals Allowed 0
Reynolds (Austin): Shots faces 8, Saves 6, Goals Allowed 1

Cautions:
AUS: McMahan, 15
AUS: Callahan, 62
MIN: Cvilikas, 69
AUS: Caugherty, 90

Attendance: 3972