Tuesday, May 29,
2001
Much like Sunday's 1-0 loss against defending A-League champions Rochester Raging Rhinos, the Lynx enjoyed the majority of possession of the ball, controlled the pace of the game and created more quality scoring chances than their opponents but somehow managed to come out on the wrong end of the final score sheet.
After going up 1-0 on the strength of a goal from forward Kristian Grzetic in the 58th minute, the Lynx grew complacent in their play as Connecticut stormed back to score two goals in the final eleven minutes to steal the game.
Connecticut forward Fabio Zuniga fought off the coverage of a Lynx defender deep inside Toronto's 18-yard box and headed a brilliant cross pass from teammate David Vaudreuil into the back of the net in the 79th minute.
Six minutes later Connecticut midfielder Theo Suarez scored the game winner on a brilliantly struck direct free kick just outside Toronto's 18-yard box to secure the victory for the Wolves. Suarez managed to crack the shot and curl it around a five-man wall that Toronto set up to defend against it, totally freezing Toronto goalkeeper Theo Zagar in his tracks as the ball sailed into the upper right hand corner of the net.
"I've been chosen to take the free kicks on this team and if you get enough of them you're going to put them away," explained Suarez in a post-game interview with SLAM! Sports. "Instead of going over the wall I went to the right of the wall, I hit it on the keeper's side and the keeper started to go the other way and then stopped. It had enough pace on it to hit the net."
The Wolves, undefeated after four games with three wins and a tie, are happy with their start this season after managing to win only one game all of last year. They were also pleased with the maturity they showed in coming back from behind to upend the Lynx.
"To come back from behind in their place, it's absolutely fantastic. I'm very proud of the team," said Suarez.
The Lynx meanwhile were despondent in their locker-room after the game, upset over dominating the play on the field for most of the game only to let a win slip away in the final eleven minutes. Much like the game against Rochester on Sunday, the Lynx failed to convert on several scoring chances.
Lynx forward Francisco Dos Santos found himself on a one-on-one break in the first half but fired a blistering shot that was stopped by Connecticut goalkeeper Adam Throop at point-blank range. Dos Santos missed another golden opportunity to score early in the second half when he was on the receiving end of a lovely cross from team-mate Brian Ashton, only to head the ball wide of the net.
Head coach Peter Pinizzotto felt the missed scoring chances was what killed Toronto.
"It's two games in a row where we outplayed the other team and somehow we found a way to lose," said a frustrated Pinizzotto. "I think we played well again. We had a couple of good chances and we missed them. It's unfortunate. We're very disappointed. In the last ten minutes they scored both goals, so it's disappointing to lose those kind of games."
Pinizzotto didn't offer any excuses for the loss, giving full credit to Connecticut for the win.
"They're a fast team, when they get the ball they run a quick counterattack. Their style is to sit back and wait for their chances. Every time they went up the field, although they didn't create many chances, they were always dangerous."
The Lynx next play Northern Conference rivals Pittsburgh Riverhounds at home on Sunday.
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