Sunday, June 3, 2001

Lynx tame Riverhounds

By JOHN F. MOLINARO -- SLAM! Sports
 TORONTO - The Toronto Lynx rebounded from two consecutive losses to defeat Northern Conference rivals Pittsburgh Riverhounds 1-0 in A-League Soccer action Sunday afternoon on a slick and slippery field at Varsity Stadium.

 After receiving a lovely, short pass from team-mate Lyndon Hooper, midfielder David DiPlacido cracked a blistering shot from outside Pittsburgh's 18-yard box into the back of the net in the 60th minute to secure the victory for the Lynx.

 "I got a great pass from Lyndon and I just pitched the ball to the right a bit and took the shot and it went in," described DiPlacido to SLAM! Sports in a post-game interview. "Lyndon played a nice ball into space, I had the defender one-on-one so I decided to take him on and take a shot and it worked out for the best."

 "It was a quick give and go pass between us," offered Hooper. "I just laid it back to him and he put on a good move on the defender and opened himself up for a nice shot."

 In their previous two games against Rochester and Connecticut, the Lynx outplayed their opponents, dominated the pace of the game and produced far more quality scoring chances. Yet in both outings, the Lynx failed to convert on those scoring opportunities and managed to lose.

 This afternoon, the Lynx were determined not to let that happen again. In a tactical move, head coach Peter Pinizzotto inserted half-striker Waldo Sponton into the lineup in place of natural midfielder Chris Pozniak who is training with Canada's Under-20 National team for the upcoming FIFA World Youth Championship in South America.

 The diminutive but swift Sponton, a native of Argentina, gave the Lynx some much needed pace and speed up front, creating several dangerous scoring chances with some well placed cross passes into Pittsburgh's 18-yard box.

 "Speed and curling crosses are what we've been lacking lately," admitted Pinizzotto. "I think Waldo spent a lot of energy and was trying to prove he belongs on the team.

 Pinizzotto was also happy with the performance of DiPlacido.

 "What was nice for a change was how (David), who I had been very critical of late in that he doesn't shoot enough, he scored by shooting on the net. Dave's got a decent shot but during a game he just likes to pass instead of shooting. He played very well today and I think he was one of the best players on the field. Defensively and offensively he created some opportunities for our forwards so if there's one guy that deserved a goal today it was David."

 DiPlacido's first goal of the 2001 campaign helped to cap off the New Market native's best game so far in the young season.

 "I've always felt that I've been playing decent defensively, I think I just created a little more offensively today. I shot a few more times than I usually do."

 In the first half, Toronto flooded Pittsburgh's 18-yard box with players, creating three scoring chances in the space of seven minutes. Lynx forward Francsico Dos Santos headed a beautiful cross pass from Sponton at the net, only to have a Pittsburgh defender knock it out of play. A minute later Pittsburgh goalkeeper Randy Dedini stopped a blistering Lyndon Hooper shot from close range.

 The offensive flurry ended moments later when Toronto midfielder Brian Ashton fired a dangerous looking shot from just outside Pittsburgh's 18-yard box, only to have Dedini tap it over the crossbar.

 Despite having twice as many shots as Pittsburgh and producing far more scoring chances, the Lynx still had difficulty scoring goals. Toronto's lack of firepower worries Pinizzotto.

 "It worries me because in soccer if you don't score on your chances the other team will come down and get a fluky goal. One mistake and it's a new game. It's always a concern of a coach."

 The Lynx, 2-2 on the season, next play Northern Conference rivals Hershey Wildcats at home on Sunday June 10.

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