May 7, 2005 USL Atlanta Silverbacks vs Toronto Lynx (Atlanta Silverbacks website)
SILVERBACKS DEFEAT TORONTO 3-2, STRETCH UNBEATEN STREAK
Saturday, May 7 2005
The Atlanta Silverbacks recorded their third win of the season and increased their unbeaten streak to five games after dominating the Toronto Lynx in a 3-2 victory at DeKalb Memorial Stadium tonight.
Toronto took an early lead through first half substitute Jamie Dodds, but were back on level terms minutes later when defender Jeremie Piette slipped the ball past teammate Richard Goddard. A strong second half by the hosts was capped by goals from Fabian Dawkins and Sergio Iniguez. An Ali Gerba strike late in the dying minutes added some consolation to a disappointing night for the Lynx.
The Silverbacks, who have not lost to Toronto in two seasons, dominated the opening exchanges. Kris Stone came agonizingly close to snatching a fifth minute lead after finding space on the right, the Jamaican’s shot, however, sailed over Goddard’s crossbar.
Atlanta paid for the miss three minutes later when Dodds fired in the opener. Sean Fraser, using his frame to good effect, held off a defender on the byline to slip the ball to the onrushing Dodds, who only needed to tap the ball past a stranded Christian Fegler.
But Toronto lost its lead after 19 minutes, a moment that Piette would probably like to forget. Stone, who had buzzed the visitors’ defense throughout, sent a fizzing cross in front of goal, which Stone inadvertently turned past Goddard.
The Silverbacks attack came to life in the second half, as the hosts effectively sealed the points with a two-goal blitz in three minutes. Rios was the provider for both, though the strikes were hardly easy. When Dawkins received the Chilean’s through ball, he showed coolness to round the goalkeeper and fire in his fifth goal of the season.
Sergio Iniguez, however, opted for power instead of grace, blasting a Rios cutback into the roof of the net from 12 yards. Gerba grabbed a consolation for the visitors, thundering a low shot past Christian Fegler to deny the Swede a shutout.
The Silverbacks are back in action at DeKalb Memorial Stadium next Sunday, May17, against the Richmond Kickers. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
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