June 24, 2005 USL Minnesota Thunder vs Toronto Lynx (from Lynx media release)
For Immediate Release
Toronto Lynx Game Report
Presented by Carlsberg
Lynx Earn First Win!
Date: June 24, 2005
Venue: James Griffin Stadium, St. Paul, Minnesota
Attendance: 2 690
Kick Off Time: 8:05 EST
Final Score: Minnesota 1 Toronto 2
Match Summary:
The Toronto Lynx earned their first win of the season this evening, defeating the Minnesota Thunder 2-1 in front of 2 690 fans in Minnesota.
Toronto opened scoring in the 15th minute. Sita-Tatay Matondo ghosted past 3 defenders on the left flank, and sent a pass to Wyn Belotte who shot passed Thunder goalkeeper Warren.
Minnesota equalized in the 40th minute. Brunt's extensive run down the field ended in a pass to defender Johnny Menyongar, who controlled and slotted the ball past Lynx 'keeper Goddard.
It was 1-1 after 45 minutes of play.
Toronto retook the lead in the 58th minute. Wyn Belotte dribbled the ball into the area and passed to Jamie Dodds, who hit first time past Warren.
Toronto's defense held out for the remaining 32 minutes, and withstood substatntial pressure in the final ten minutes. It was 2-1 to Toronto as the final whistle sounded, bringing Toronto their first win of the season.
Newly acquired striker Wyn Belotte was impressive in his first game in Lynx colours, scoring once and assisting on Toronto's other goal. Chris Williams and Said Ali also made their Lynx debuts this evening. Williams played the entire 90 minutes, while Ali came on for Belotte in the 59th.
Toronto's Trinidad and Tobago international goalkeeper Richard Goddard faced nine shots and made two saves in tonight's victory.
Toronto's Head Coach Hubert Busbt Jr. spoke with lynxsoccer.com after the match. "It was a good win all around tonight, everyone chipped in. The players made crucial plays when they needed to, and sustained a lot of presssure in the last ten minutes."
"We didn't make errors at crucial moments, which is what has happened in our previous games. I could never blame a lack of effort by the guys in our previous games."
"Tonight's win was long overdue."
As a result of this evening's victory, Toronto improves to 1-8-4 this season, but still rests in 12th place in the USL First Division. Minessota is now 4-3-4, and lies in 8th.
Toronto's next game is at home this Sunday the 26th, when they host the Charleston Battery at 4:00 PM at Centennial Park Stadium. Former Lynx, and Tottenham Hotspur standout Paul Stalteri will be on hand to help celebrate Health and Fitness day this Sunday.
Notes: Tonight's match was only the third encounter between both clubs. Toronto and Minnesota had won one game each when they faced eachother in the 1999. The last match in Minnesota ended 5-0 in July of 1999. Toronto came into tonight's match with a record of 0-8-4, while Minnesota had accumulated a record of 4-2-4 after ten games this season.
Final Score: Minnesota 1 Toronto 2
Lineups:
Toronto: Goddard, Williams, Abraham, Piette, Hart, Dodds, Aristedemo, Di Placido, Motondo, Belotte (Ali 59), Fraser (Eja-Tabe 75)
Minnesota: Warren, Branan, Brunt, Wilson, Alberts, (Knox 75), Juarez (Schmidt 45), Tenoff, Friedland, (Lara 72), Matteo, Menyongar, Tarley (Paye 45)
Cautions: Minnesota: Menyongar 22, Branan 28, Brunt 28 Toronto: Matondo 30, Aristedemo 70, Dodds 79, Hart 90
Ejections: None
Shots: Minnesota 9, Toronto 7
Saves: Minnesota 2,Toronto 2
Fouls: Minnesota 17, Toronto 13
Scorers: Minnesota: Menyongar 40 (Brunt) Toronto: Belotte 15 (Matondo), Dodds (Belotte)
The Toronto Lynx' next game is at home against the Charrleston Battery on June 26, 2005 at 4:00 PM.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
DAVID NUTT, MEDIA RELATIONS
416-251-4625 ext. 30
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