LYNX DROP THIRD STRAIGHT
VALENCIA'S HAT TRICK SINKS LYNX IN SALTY DOGS HOME OPENER
Date: Saturday, May 17, 2003
Venue: P&C Stadium, Syracuse NY
Attendance: 10, 721
Kickoff Time: 7:35 PM
Final Score: Toronto 0 Syracuse 3
Match Summary: For the second time in four days, the Toronto Lynx were defeated by the expansion Syracuse Salty Dogs in A-League action. In the Salty Dogs inaugural home opener, the Lynx were beaten 3-0 on the turf at P&C Stadium in Syracuse. Kickoff was delayed approximately 30 minutes to allow a near capacity crowd of 10,721 to enter the stadium and fans were not disappointed, as Gabriel Valencia recorded the hat trick and sent the undefeated Salty Dogs to the top of the Northeast Division with a 3-0-0 record and nine points. The Salty Dogs struck early when striker Machel Millwood tracked down a long ball deep in the Toronto end and crossed to Valencia who one-timed the ball past helpless Lynx goalkeeper, Theo Zagar in the seventh minute of play. Although the Lynx possessed the ball for extended periods in the first half, Syracuse was able to take a commanding 2-0 lead on the counter attack when Valencia was again left alone in front of the Lynx goal to pounce on a rebound after Zagar had turned aside veteran midfielder Tom Tanner's volley. Toronto came out with some fire in the second half, taking the play to the Salty Dogs and coming within inches of cutting the deficit in half when an Adrian Serioux free kick beat 'Dogs keeper Paul Nagy but struck the crossbar. The Salty Dogs iced the game in the 72nd minute when Valencia completed his hat trick on another shot off a rebound from close range, sending the huge crowd home happy. The Lynx are back in action on Monday, May 19th for a Victoria Day Celebration at Centennial Park Stadium at 6:00pm when they attempt to get back on track against the Rochester Raging Rhinos.
First Half Highlights:
7th min Syracuse long ball gathered by Machel Millwood who crosses to Gabriel Valencia who one times the ball past Lynx 'keeper Theo Zagar. Toronto 0 Syracuse 1
14th min Lars Lyssand bends a free kick from 19 yards, tipped over the bar by Zagar.
15th min Brian Ashton strikes a volley on goal, stopped by Nagy.
25th min Tom Tanner charges into the Toronto penalty area and volleys at goal, saved by Zagar, rebound to Valencia who volleys home goal. Toronto 0 Syracuse 2
38th min Ali Ngon crosses into danger area, headed away by Michael Kirmse.
39th min Backheel from Valencia intended for Millwood, broken up by Lynx defense.
Second Half Highlights:
1st min Ball bounces off astroturf, over keeper Zagar and over the crossbar.
3rd min Lynx free kick from 25 yards, bent around the wall by Adrian Serioux beating keeper Nagy, but striking the crossbar.
9th min Valencia strikes ball on net, kicked out by Zagar for a Syracuse corner kick.
11th min Ngon crosses into Syracuse box, scramble in front, shot wide by Elvis Thomas.
27th min Lynx lose possession in their own end, shot from close range stopped by Zagar, rebound to Valencia who completes the hat trick sliding the ball past Zagar. Toronto 0 Syracuse 3
32nd min Vignjevic crosses from free kick, headed on goal by Barclay but directly at Nagy.
Final Score: Toronto 0 Syracuse 3
Lineups:
Toronto: Zagar, Veenhof (Barclay 67), Mayard, Serioux (Vignjevic 64), Vincello (Hughes 27), Mattacchione, Ashton, Aristodemo (Blicharski 76), DiPlacido, Thomas, Ngon (Lucas 70).
Syracuse: Nagy, Sinozic, Semedo, Kirmse (Cole 76), Kemble, Cooks, Tanner (Medina 41), Neto (Gentile 90), Lyssand (N. McNab 82), Millwood (Mack 45), Valencia.
Cautions: Tor: Thomas Syr: Lyssand, Mack
Ejections: none
Shots: Toronto 10 Syracuse 5
Saves: Toronto 7 Syracuse 5
Scorers: Syracuse: Valencia (3) times: 7th, 25, 72
The Lynx next home game is Monday, May 19th at 6:00 pm versus the Rochester Raging Rhinos
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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
DAVID NUTT
MEDIA RELATIONS COORDINATOR
416-251-4625 ext. 30
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