from the Syracuse Post-Standard
Trick for new dogs
Valencia scores three in Syracuse win before 10,721
May 18, 2003
By Nolan Weidner
Staff writer
The Syracuse Salty Dogs brought professional soccer back to the city with a bang on Saturday night, as forward Gabriel Valencia's hat trick led a 3-0 pasting of the Toronto Lynx.
Playing before an announced crowd of 10,721 in P&C Stadium, the Salty Dogs moved to 3-0 on the season and jumped into first place in the A-League's Northeast Division, ahead of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds and the Rochester Raging Rhinos.
"I just can't say enough about the guys," said head coach Laurie Calloway. "They've got passion, and they've got energy."
Unlike earlier wins on the road over Charlotte and Toronto, both scoreless ties after the first 45 minutes, the Salty Dogs came out fast.
Valencia scored his first goal only 5 minutes, 53 seconds into the match off of a short crossing pass from forward Machel Millwood. Valencia's shot ripped past Toronto goalkeeper Theo Zagar, as the crowd roared its approval.
Syracuse struck again 18 minutes later, as Valencia scored off of a rebound of a hard shot by Tommy Tanner which was deflected by Zagar.
Toronto got few scoring chances in the second half, the best of which came on a free kick by Ali Ngon from 28 yards out that bent over the Syracuse wall and hit the crossbar.
Valencia put the game away in the 72nd minute when he got another rebound, this one off of a hard shot by Adauto Neto, and tapped it into the right corner of the Lynx goal.
After his third goal, Valencia ran off the playing field and leapt up on the concrete wall surrounding the field to celebrate with fans.
The forward now has five goals in three games, which will put him well among the league leaders.
"I feel like I've been playing here for years," said Valencia, who admitted his celebration effort came from a tip by teammate, defender Sebastian Sinozic who saw something similar while watching a rugby game. Toronto coach Peter Pinizotto said his team just isn't playing well.
"We haven't played well for the last three games," he said. "It was tough coming in here. It was their first home game."
Pinizotto said it was "very difficult" playing on turf.
But the Lynx coach gave Syracuse credit.
"They played much better (than Wednesday). They were much more disciplined."
Salty Dogs defender Judah Cooks said that comments made by Lynx midfielder after Wednesday's game helped fire up Syracuse. After the Salty Dogs defeated the Lynx 1-0 in Toronto, midfielder Robbie Aristodemo said Syracuse was the worst team he'd seen in three A-League seasons.
"We were looking for his number," Cooks said.
Syracuse goalkeeper Paul Nagy, who pitched his second shutout in as many games, said he brought a copy of the Toronto Sun article with Aristodemo's comments into the Salty Dogs' locker room on Saturday.
"It feels incredible," Nagy said of the victory.
Syracuse 3, Toronto 0
umbfSyracuse 2 1- 3Toronto 00-0
Scoring: Gabriel Valencia (Syracuse), 6th minute, Millwood assist; Valencia (Syr.), 25th, unassisted; Valencia (Syr.), 72nd, unassisted. Saves: Paul Nagy (Syr.) 5, Zagar (Tor.) 7; Fouls: Syracuse 22, Toronto 18; Corner kicks: Syracuse 3, Toronto 4; Yellow cards: Lars Lyssand (Syr.) 38th minute, Elvis Thomas (Tor.) 61st, Ryan Mack (Syr.) 83rd.
© 2003 The Post-Standard. Used with permission.
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