St. Louis Lions Press Release
June 27, 2010
St. Louis, MO - The St. Louis Lions dropped the first game of a two game set against the Thunder Bay Chill by the score of 2-1. The hot temperatures fit right in with the hot action with this always heated rivalry.
Thunder Bay riding a four game unbeaten streak opened the scoring first in the 34th minute when Brandon Swartzendruber struck a far post shot past a diving Nate Thackery. The outstretched Thackery was able to get a touch on the ball but was unable to send it wide.
With the Chill holding a 1-0 lead both teams battling the heat and exchanged shots and fouls as the tension mounted. “You come to expect heated and entertaining matches between the Lions and Chill. These two teams battle extremely hard” said Assistant Coach Mike Poropat.
In the second half both teams came out just as aggressive and in the 42nd minute the Nolan Intermoia of the Chill made a two footed studs up challenge on the Lions Stuart Wark. Players from both teams then engaged in a heated exchange of yelling and shoving. The referee had seen enough and issued red cards to Intermoia and Wark. Both teams playing with 10 men settled down and tried to make the most of the open space on the field.
The Lions struck back in the 62nd minute when Tyler Nichol headed home a fantastic cross from Dodgie Smith. Smith gathered a ball at mid field and took it wide left beating a defender. Smith then found Nichol on a fantastic run thru the Chill defense. Nichol flicked the header past the Chills goalkeeper Andrew Patterson. Less than 3 minutes later the Chill took advantage of a poor back pass by a Lions defender. The ball bounced awkwardly and the Chills Gustavo Oliviera gathered the ball and sent Paul Craig in one-on-one with Thackery. Craig slipped the ball past Thackery to secure the 2-1 lead and the win.
“In this league it is so important to win your home games. We have three home games left, including tomorrow against the Chill and we must win those game.” said Head Coach Tony Glavin.
The Lions will take on the Thunder Bay Chill one more time Sunday at 2:00pm on a $1 day at the Tony Glavin Soccer Complex. Call 636-939-5151 for more details.
