By MICHAEL LOWMAN - Sports Writer
When a D-3 League team and a representative of the A League meet, you might expect the score to read 3-1 at the conclusion of ninety minutes of action. But to have the three connected with the D-3 squad is not what most soccer enthusiasts would predict.
The Chico Rooks handed the San Diego Flash their first loss of the season Saturday night at Rooks Stadium and in the process moved into first place in both the Western Conference standings and the postseason Open Cup qualifying tournament. Chico improved its record to 3-1, while the Flash fell to 2-1.
"It's a confidence boost for us as a team," Rooks defender Joel Hurd said. "It puts us in the driver's seat."
The Rooks didn't waste any time in gaining San Diego's respect. Chico moved out to a 2-0 advantage with a pair of goals in the opening 12 minutes and took a 2-1 lead at halftime. In the game's third minute, midfielder Joe Munoz' free kick was headed in by forward Felipe Ternero.
Nine minutes later forward Luis Orellana found the right corner of the goal on an assist from defender John Koven. Munoz began the sequence by sending the ball to Koven, who set up Orellana with a pretty touch pass.
"I told our guys that we needed to take it to them early," Rooks coach Dave Stahl said. "I thought the first 35 minutes were the best soccer we've played all year."
With only three minutes remaining on the clock and the Flash desperately trying to even the score, Chico forward Maxx Henry Frazer put San Diego in a foul mood. Frazer broke free from the San Diego defense and sent in his first goal of the season. Immediately following Frazer's goal the Flash bench erupted in anger, claiming Frazer was offsides.
"That last goal was a tragedy because we were in the mode to get back in the game," San Diego coach Derek Armstrong said. "I thought we had a terrible opening quarter of an hour and we paid the price for it. But they played a good game."
The offense may have provided the heroics, but the Chico defense more than did its part. Whenever the Flash posed a threat either Hurd, Joe Alvelais, Brandon Kaplan or Koven were there to put a stop to it. Hurd displayed particular courage since he was nursing a calf injury and wasn't sure whether he was going to play until minutes before kickoff. Hurd was forced to miss last week's 3-1 victory over the Northern Nevada Aces.
"I thought our entire back line played well," Stahl said. "They had some big boys. "We knew these guys were good."
The Flash entered Rooks Stadium fresh off a grueling 1-0 overtime victory over the Stanislaus Cruisers Friday night.
"We've played back-to-back games several times and it's tough," Stahl said.
The two teams won't have to wait long for a rematch, as the Rooks travel to San Diego next Saturday for a 7:30 p.m. matchup with the Flash. Chico faces the San Fernando Heroes the following day at 3:30 p.m.
