Fort Lauderdale Strikers Head to NASL Finals with Win over Puerto Rico Islanders
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The Fort Lauderdale Strikers defeated the defending Division II Champions the Puerto Rico Islanders on Saturday evening, with a brace from Brian Shriver who is on a goal-scoring tear. The 2-1 final in favor of Fort Lauderdale elevated the total goals aggregate count to 5-2 Strikers, propelling them to the NASL Championship series.
“I’m really proud of the guys,” said head coach Daryl Shore. “They came out with a lot of energy and weathered the storm early in the game.”
The Strikers sent their 4,233 fans into a frenzy when they took the lead in the 19th minute with a Shriver goal. Walter Restrepo played a nifty chipped through ball into the box for the Striker forward. With a deft touch he laid the ball down with his chest into his path and shot it low, far post and past Islanders goalkeeper Ray Burse to put the home team into the lead.
In the 56th minute the Islanders pulled one back after a corner kick was awarded. The kick taken went far post and was headed by Puerto Rico back into the goal box. The ball took several deflections before being pounced on by the Islanders’ David Foley who poked the ball home and equalized the score.
But it was Shriver once again just three minutes later, scoring his 11th goal of the season and his 5th of the playoffs. The hot striker was fed on the left side of the field. He took advantage of his speed and a very stretched Islanders team that was pushing forward for goals. Shriver made a 40 yard run with the ball and made a tidy finish driving the ball far post.
“The old saying is speed kills. Brian has been in great form the last part of the season and the entire playoffs. He was on the end of two great goals and he has been a trooper,” said Shore.
Fort Lauderdale will play the Minnesota Stars who defeated the Carolina RailHawks, a game also played Saturday evening. The two will meet in the two legged, total goals series. The first leg will be in Minnesota on Oct. 22 at 7:30 p.m. (8:30 p.m. Eastern.) The home leg for the Strikers will be on Saturday, Oct. 29, at 7:30 p.m. (6:30 Central) at Lockhart Stadium.
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COngratulations to Strkiers Return and all of the Ft. Lauderdale fans and to everyone affiliated with the organization.
Good luck in the finals.
@yankiboy – Thanks! Lockhart was rocking Saturday night! Shriver continues his torrid run of goal scoring, and the D was SOLID despite the Islanders throwing everything at them. Even the one goal they scored should not have counted as there was a blatant handball in the box during that scrum, before the ball went in. No one can take anything from the Strikers after winning that second game with Puerto Rico’s full squad on the field. The Strikers controlled more of this game, had the better chances, and were better once again in the back. Much respect to the Islanders as they always have themselves in the hunt this time of year, and it was a very solid effort by the Strikers all around to get past them. On to the finals, they should be epic!!!!