Lynx Play to 1-1 Draw
Late Equalizer from Puerto Rico Denies Toronto Win
Date: August 21, 2005
Venue: Centennial Stadium, Toronto, Ontario
Attendance: 2 638
Kick Off Time: 6:00 PM EST
Final Score: Toronto 1 Puerto Rico 1
Match Summary:
The Toronto Lynx played to a 1-1 draw against the Puerto Rico
Islanders this evening in front of 2 638 fans at Centennial Park
Stadium for the Lynx annual Multicultural Day presented by Unico
and media partner CHIN International.
The first half was mainly confined to the middle third of the
field, with both teams keeping the bulk of the play away from
goal. No team registered a shot on goal until injury time when
Toronto's Chris Williams sent in a cross from the left side.
Joe Mattacchione rose to head the ball, but his effort was
straight at Puerto Rico goalkeeper Dan Kennedy who held onto the
ball. This proved to be the only legitimate chance of the first
half in an evenly contested first interval. Toronto outshot
Puerto Rico 5-2 in the first half, but only Mattacchione's
effort forced a save from either goalkeeper.
Toronto took the lead seven minutes into the second half.
Robbie Aristodemo's cross from the right side was headed into
the area by Said Ali. Huffman Eja-Tabe picked up the ball from
10 yards out and shot past Kennedy and into the bottom right of
goal.
Toronto defended their lead for much of the second half, but
Puerto Rico equalized two minutes from time. Andres Arango
failed to clear a long ball into the area, allowing Corey
Woolfolk to tap the ball over a sprawling Theo Zagar. Puerto
Rico had three more chances before the final whistle, but Zagar
was equal to each attempt, keeping the game 1-1 until full time.
Corey Woolfolk, who ranks in the USL First Division Top Ten in
points and goals, scored his 8th goal of the season. Huffman
Eja-Tabe scored his first goal in Lynx colours.
Tonight's result leaves Toronto in 12th position of the USL
First Division with a record 3-13-7. Puerto Rico are 7-9-6
after tonight's draw, and earn a point towards their playoff
push.
Toronto is next in action on Sunday August 28th when they host
the Virginia Beach Mariners at 6:00 PM at Centennial Park
Stadium for the Lynx Fan Appreciation Night.
Notes: Toronto entered today's match in 12th place of the USL
First Division with a record of 3-13-6. Puerto Rico was in 8th
with a record of 7-9-6. Toronto was hoping to end a six game
winless streak, while Puerto Rico came in hoping for a win that
would put them in playoff position. Toronto had an
all-time record of 3-0-1 against Puerto Rico before today's
match. The last encounter between both clubs ended 4-4 in
Toronto at the end of May.
Highlights:
5th min. Alejandro Gonzalez's shot from 20 yards out is
straight at Zagar who controls.
8th min. Dave Simpson receives a yellow card.
18th min. Abraham Francois' header off of Aristodemo's corner
is over the bar.
20th min. Dave Simpson's shot from just inside the area goes
off a defender and out for a corner.
28th min. Caleb Norkus' volley from just inside the area is over
the bar.
36th min. Niels Dekker receives a yellow card.
45th min. Mattacchione heads Williams' cross straight at
Keneddy who controls.
52nd min. Goal! Toronto go up 1-0. Aristodemo sends in a cross
from the right side which Ali heads back into the area. Huffma
Eja-Tabe picks up the ball 10 yards out and shoots into the
bottom right of the goal.
68th min. Arango's shot after a scramble in the box goes off a
defender and out for a corner.
69th min. Drew Mcathy's shot from the left side is straight at
Zagar who controls.
84th min. Puerto Rico earn a free kick from 25 yards out.
Sebastian Rosental takes it but his effort is straight at Zagar
who controls.
89th min. Goal! Puerto Rico equalize. Corey Woolfolk picks up
the ball after a scramble in Toronto's area. His shot bounces
over a sprawling Zagar and in.
Final Score: Toronto 1 Puerto Rico 1
Lineups:
Toronto: Zagar, Arango, Titus, Francois, Munthali, Mattacchione,
Dekker (Hooper 67), Aristodemo, Williams (Tachie 61), Simpson (Eja-Tabe
45), Ali (Fraser 73)
Puerto Rico: Kennedy, Poli-Garcia (Mcathy 65), Gores, Velez,
Norkus, Maliza, Gonzalez, Delgado (Villegas 58), Rozental,
Woolfolk, Salles
Cautions: Toronto: Simpson 8, Dekker 36
Ejections: None
Shots: Toronto 8 Puerto Rico 9
Saves: Toronto 3 Puerto Rico 1
Fouls: Toronto 15 Puerto Rico 16
Scorers: Toronto: Eja-Tabe (Ali) 51, Puerto Rico: Wollfolk
(unassisted) 89
The Toronto Lynx next game is at home against the Virginia Beach
Mariners on August 28th at 6:00 PM.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
CONTACT:
DAVID NUTT, MEDIA RELATIONS
416-251-4625 ext. 30