Story from Canada Kicks.

Lynx Struggles Continue
Things going from bad to worse in sophmore season.
by David Bailey
Saturday, August 08, 1998 08:46:54 AM
 		 
Toronto - On a damp and dreary Friday night at Varsity Stadium, the lowly 7 and 14 Toronto Lynx played host to the Atlantic Division leading 14 and 7, Richmond Kickers.  The Lynx, in the midst of a four game losing streak were hoping to impress an announced crowd of 1,667 (most of whom came disguised as red and blue wooden benches) with the return of 1997 stalward Martin Dugas, the first home match for Canadian international goalkeeper Jim Larkin and the home debut of former Toronto Shooting Stars striker Adolfo Mella, but such was not to be the case as Richmond defeated the Lynx by a score of 3 - 1.

The game was uneventful until the 27th minute when Lynx sweeper Peter Sarantopolous was adjudged to have taken down Kickers striker Paul Lekics.  Referee Al Pereira of Acton, Ontario immediately flashed the red card and awarded Richmond a penalty although the foul appeared to have been committed outside the 18 yard box.  Lekics easily beat Larkin to score his third goal of the season.

Seven minutes later and despite their manpower disadvantage, the Lynx fought back strongly with Mella blasting a free kick off the Richmond cross bar.

Moments later on another free kick from just outside the Kickers box, Lynx leading scorer Nikki Vignjevic fired one of his trademark curling shots inside the far post leaving Richmond keeper Alex Deegan helpless. It was Vignjevic's 8th goal of the season.

The tied score would last only one minute as Kickers striker Ihor Dotsenko forced Larkin to make an excellent save only to have the rebound fall directly into the path of Lekics who calmly slid the ball into a wide open Lynx goal.

It would get worse for Toronto when three minutes later Lekics flew by a hapless Franco Spadafina and fired a rocket at Larkin.  The Toronto keeper made a fine save but again couldn't control the loose ball and Rob Johnson put the ball into the empty net.

Controversy would again occur when late in the game Lynx captain Kevin Holness appeared to have been pulled down in the Richmond penalty area. Referee Pereira waved action on much to the chagrin of the Lynx players and the sparse but vocal crowd.

Despite the sending off of Sarantopolous and the lack of team cohesiveness due to a number of roster moves, the match could have been much closer but for missed opportunties by the Lynx attackers.  The addition of Mella adds a potentionally potent offensive threat to a side that has been struggling up front, Larkin adds depth to the already strong Lynx goaltending situation and the long overdue return of Martin Dugas brings flow to the midfield.

Of course this begs the question, is it too late to salvage what is quickly turning into a dismal sophomore season for the Toronto Lynx?

"Back to Lynx menu">

.

.