Cincinnati came into the game with pride at stake. The Hawks (5-18-0) went up against the Flash (11-11-1) in hopes of getting in the way of San Diego's playoff chances. The first half started out with the Hawks in control. The Hawks rattled off 4 shots to San Diego's 0 attempts at goal.
In the 6th minute, Off of an assist by Kaszuba Simon Lowey slotted home a kick that put the Hawk's up 1-0. The Hawks continued pressing attacking the goal time after time. Marcel Matis had the ball going into the penalty area all the while being held by the Flash defender. A foot came out and tripped Matis but amazingly the center referee made no call.
San Diego noticing that the Hawks were losing their cool under pressure turned up the heat making every tackle hard. The Flash having brought the level of play of the Hawks down to their level were now getting chances at goal. The number of corner kicks started climbing for the Flash but the Hawks were determined to do their best to keep the ball out of the net.
In the 36th minute the ball went into touch for a Riverhawks throw in. The San Diego player while lying on the ground near the touchline kicked out and struck a Riverhawks player and toppled him to the ground. This led to an exchange of hands flying about and players pulling each other apart. Expecting to see an ejection issued to the San Diego player there was only a caution given. Then in the 38th minute the Flash finally broke the ice and put a ball in the goal by Hetherington.
2 minutes later the Flash came down the pitch and slotted another one in with the goal going to Bustos. In the 43rd minute, with a wild flurry at goal by the Flash, a shot was made with the result of a great save by O'Leary. O'Leary unable to hold onto the blistering strike received help on the next shot that came in the very next second with the ball being what I thought saved by Rockey. However, Rockey was called for a foul and a penalty given. Martins placed the penalty in the net giving San Diego a 3-1 lead going into the 2nd half.
With the Hawks feeling upset and some of the calls made thus far in the match they fought back with passion in the 2nd half. The Hawks kept the pressure up, each team getting some chances at goal.
The Hawks with their continued pressure was able to score their 2nd goal in the 55th minute. Kaszuba scored with an assist from Matis and this goal gave the Hawks a 2nd wind. The Hawks even kept battling not looking like a last place team at all. The ball went up and down the pitch. Each team trying their best to put one in.
With fatigue sitting in on the Hawks Kevin Legg put the Flash on top 4-2 in the 83rd minute. The Hawks still didn't give up. It was pleasing to see that the Hawks kept trying their best. Time did run out for the Hawks putting the Final score at 4-2.
Cheers to the Hawks for playing hard and doing the best they could to cope with the physical play and the lack of fouls being called.
SCORELINE
Cincinnati 2
San Diego 4
LINEUPS
Cincinnati - 12 O'Leary; 20 Pickup; 21 Mercik; 32 Samples; 27 Masturzo (30 Giacobbone 57'); 28 Schulte; 11 Rockey; 7 Lowey; 9 Matis; 16 Kaszuba; 26 Vaughn (29 Vehr 73')
San Diego - 0 Hall; 5 Maurer; 15 O'Connor; 22 Lee; 11 Calderson; 10 Hetherington (12 Morales 87'); 18 Legg; 6 Suazo (19 Luna 87'); 9 Martins (14 Alcaraz 75'); 8 Bustos (16 Adair 63'); 17 Ayim (21 Llams 85')
STATS CINCINNATI SAN DIEGO
1st half 2nd half Total 1st half 2nd half Total
Shots 6 3 9 9 4 13
Saves 5 2 7 2 1 3
Fouls 4 6 10 7 5 12
Offside 1 1 2 1 0 1
Corners 2 1 3 5 4 9
CAUTIONS AND EJECTIONS
San Diego - Caution 36' O'Connor
Cincinnati - Caution 43' Rockey
San Diego - Caution 45' Lee
Cincinnati - Caution 45' Samples
SCORING SUMMARY
Cincinnati - 6' Lowey (Assist, Kaszuba)
San Diego - 38' Hetherington (Assist, Legg)
San Diego - 40' Bustos (Assist, Martins)
San Diego - 45' Martins (Penalty)
Cincinnati - 55' Kaszuba (Assist, Matis)
San Diego - 83' Legg (Assist, Adair)
