DOG DAY AFTERNOON FOR THE LYNX
Syracuse Salty Dogs shutout the Lynx 1-0

Date: Wednesday, May 14th, 2003

Venue: Centennial Park Stadium, Toronto, ON

Attendance: 3,572

Kick off Time: 12:00 PM

Final Score: Toronto 0 Syracuse 1

Match Summary:

The Toronto Lynx lost their second consecutive home game this afternoon, falling 1-0 to the expansion Syracuse Salty Dogs in the first-ever meeting between the two clubs. Lars Lysand scored for the Dogs to send the near-capacity School Day crowd of 3,572 home disappointed. The loss drops the Lynx record to 1-2 to start the 2003 season, and marks the first time in the club's history they have lost their first two matches at home to start the season. Syracuse remains undefeated in their inaugural season. The two clubs will meet again this Saturday night in Syracuse in the home opener for the Salty Dogs.

The first half started promisingly for the Lynx, with the home club dominating the chances and holding Syracuse to only one shot. However, as was the case last Saturday against Montreal, the Lynx forwards could not convert their chances and were unable to score. Early in the second half, Syracuse began to take control of the match and were rewarded for their diligence in the 66th minute when Nikki Vignjevic was stripped of the ball while trying to clear the Lynx penatly area after a Salty Dog corner kick, and midfielder Lars Lysand struck home the loose ball past an outstretched Theo Zagar. The Lynx pressed hard for the remainder of the match and had a number of chances but were unable to score. Ali Ngon slammed the ball home past Syracuse 'keeper Paul Nagy in the waning seconds of the match, but the goal was called back on an offside call by the linesman.

The afternoon began with a number of performances by local schools taking part in the Lynx' popular annual School Day, the highlight of the club's school program to teach and inspire local students. The Willowdale Middle School band, the Aloma Crescent Public School choir and the Aurora High School cheerleaders were amongst those who demonstrated their talents for the racous crowd on hand.

Sebastian Barclay was selected as the Canadian Auto Workers' Blue Collar Award winner recognizing him as the hardest working Lynx player during the match.

The Lynx' next home game at Centennial Park Stadium will take place on Victoria Day, Monday May 19, at 6:00 PM against arch-rivals the Rochester Raging Rhinos.

First Half Highlights:

7th Minute: Mattacchione free kick from top of the penalty area is blocked by Syracuse wall.

12th Minute: Dangerous Vignjevic cross is intercepted by Nagy.

12th Minute: Zagar clears ball to safety after scramble in the Lynx penalty area.

13th Minute: Hard Lucas shot is corralled by Nagy.

17th Minute: Mayard heads Ashton cross narrowly over Syracuse net.

19th Minute: Mattacchione free kick from 18 yards out sails harmlessly over the bar.

24th Minute: Vincello cross is headed towards goal by Lucas but Nagy makes great save to deny Lynx.

34th Minute: Lucas takes ball into box but stumbles and his off-balance shot is stopped by Nagy.

44th Minute: Tanner dribbles deep into Lynx penalty area and crosses to a sliding Valencia who directs it just over the crossbar.

Second Half Highlights:

49th Minute: Zagar makes stop on McNab’s point-blank shot and Vincello clears rebound to safety.

54th Minute: Barclay’s shot from 10 yards out is deflected over the net by a Syracuse defender.

58th Minute: Ashton free kick from 20 yards out is shot over the Salty Dog’s net.

66th Minute: Vignjevic is stripped of the ball while trying to clear the penalty area and Lysand corrals loose ball and buries it behind an outstretched Zagar. Syracuse 1, Toronto 0

67th Minute: Lucas heads Aristodemo corner narrowly over crossbar.

69th Minute: Aristodemo slides and blocks Valencia’s shot from deep in the Lynx penalty area. A goalmouth scramble ensues but the Lynx defense holds and clears the ball to safety.

78th Minute: Mattacchione bends a free kick towards the Syracuse net but Nagy beats Lucas to the ball and makes stop.

81st Minute: Medina takes hard shot from the top of penalty area but directs it over the Lynx goal.

90th Minute: Ngon free kick is stopped by Salty Dog wall.

90th Minute: Ngon powers ball past Nagy but play is ruled off-side. No goal.

Final Score: Toronto 0 Syracuse 1

Lineups

Toronto: Zagar, Veenhof, Vincello, Serioux, Mayard (Blicharski, 84), Ashton, Mattacchione, Aristodemo (Thomas, 76), Vignjevic (DiPlacido, 69) , Barclay, Lucas (Ngon, 80)

Syracuse: Nagy, Kirmse, Kemble, Sinozic, Semedo, Tanner (J. McNab, 86), N. McNab (Milwood, 63), Cooks, Lysand, Valencia (Mack, 76), Medina

Cautions: Toronto: Mattacchione (47), Vincello (61); Syracuse: Kirmse (60)

Ejections: None

Shots: Toronto 13, Syracuse 6

Saves: Toronto 3, Syracuse 5

Fouls: Toronto 11, Syracuse 20

Corners: Toronto 5, Syracuse 5

Offsides: Toronto 6, Syracuse 3

Scorers: Lysand (66)

The Lynx next home game is on Monday May 19 at 6:00 PM versus the Rochester Raging Rhinos. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Lynx Ticket Hotline at 416-251-4625 x 31 or by visiting www.lynxsoccer.com.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL
DAVID NUTT
PUBLIC RELATIONS COORDINATOR
416-251-4625 ext. 30

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