Thursday, May 13, 2009
WACO, TX - The Austin Aztex U23 and DFW Tornados squared off mid-way between Dallas and Austin when they clashed at Betty Lou Mays Field on the campus of Baylor University. The match was the first USL game ever played in Waco, Texas and marked the start of an I-35 rivalry dubbed as the “Battle at Baylor.”
In addition to five games at their host stadium in Round Rock, the Aztex U23 team will be playing three home games in surrounding communities. The intent is to promote the USL in new venues, and partner with area colleges, high schools, and youth clubs to support their soccer programs.
The match itself was a high-scoring contest, which resulted in a 4-2 victory for the Aztex U23 squad. Aztex forward Kendell McFayden opened the scoring in the seventh minute on a feed from midfielder Elcio Freitas. Pedro Pereira added to the lead in stoppage time at the end of the first half.
DFW Tornados midfielder Alex Fichera closed the gap with a strike in the 54th minute. It looked like the 2-1 scoreline might hold, but the teams would combine to double the score in the final 15 minutes.
Aztex captain and defender Chris Spendlove (right) appeared to have put the game away in the 75th minute off free kick that saw him bend the ball into the upper corner of the netting. But the Tornados once again cut into the led in the 90th minute when halftime substitute Jess Mitchell slotted one home. Guillermo “Willy Speed” Guadarrama scored the insurance goal for the Aztex in added time.
“The fans certainly got their money’s worth tonight,” said Aztex U23 General Manager, David Markley. “But more importantly, we hope this is the start of a great partnership between the USL and Baylor University. It is a goal of our club to support the various soccer programs throughout Central Texas, and by doing so, to encourage the young men and women that live in each community to work hard both in school and on the playing field."
"Baylor provided a first-class facility for our game and tremendous support from the moment we first approached them. We are already looking forward to the next Battle at Baylor.”
