Toronto Lynx Game Report BUDALIC MAKES HISTORY AS LYNX FALL SHORT ROOKIE BECOMES FOURTH LYNX EVER TO SCORE A GOAL IN THREE STRAIGHT GAMES Date: Friday, May 3, 2002 Venue: Dakalb Memorial Stadium (Atlanta) Attendance: 1,452 Final Score: Atlanta 3 Toronto 2 Game Summary: Toronto Lynx rookie sensation Nikola Budalic scored his third and fourth goals of the season; but it was not enough as the Toronto Lynx (1-2-1) fell 3-2 in overtime to the Atlanta Silverbacks (4-0-0) tonight. With his fourth goals Budalic has already tied last season's team goal scoring leader, Juan Arango, who led the Lynx with four goals in 16 games. The twenty-three year-old forward also joins Terry St. Louis, Paul Stalteri and Francisco Dos Santos as the only Lynx players to register a goal in three straight games. The Lynx started strongly in the contest and controlled the play for the start of the first half. In the 29th minute Budalic controlled a throw-in from midfielder Robbie Aristodemo and wired a shot low and inside past goaltender Bryheem Handcock to put Toronto ahead 1-0. Atlanta responded seven minutes later as Velco Iotov headed a ball off a Jamel Mitchell to make the score 1-1 at the half. In the second half both teams started out cautiously. However, in the 74th minute Budalic scored his second of the evening off a free kick from 25 yards out to put the Lynx ahead 2-1. Once again though Toronto could not hold onto the lead as Atlanta responded less than three minutes later as Brian Piesner received a pass deep in the Toronto end. Piesner then eluded Brian Ashton's sliding tackle and was able to put the ball high past Theo Zagar to tie the score at 2-2 and send the match into overtime In overtime, defender Gilbert Jean-Baptiste scored the winner of a cross from Piesner to give the Silverbacks the win. The Lynx played the game without the services of defenders Mauricio Vincello and Adrian Serioux who were both serving suspensions. First Half Highlights 29th Minute: Off a Toronto Lynx throw in deep in the Atlanta zone, Budalic controls the ball and wires a shot low and inside past the keeper. Toronto 1-0 36th Minute: A pass from Mitchell goes to Iotov who heads the ball past a diving Zagar. Score tied 1-1 Second Half Highlights 74th Minute: On a free kick from 25 yards out, Budalic fires a shot low and away. Hancock manages to get a piece of it but the ball trickles in. Toronto 2-1 77th Minute: Piesner receives the ball close inside on the left side. He alludes a sliding Ashton and kicks the ball past Zagar. Score tied 2-2 Extra Time 95th Minute: Piesner crosses the ball over to Jean-Baptiste who one-times the ball past Zagar for the win. Atlanta 3-2 Full Time Line ups Toronto: Theo Zagar, Marco Reda, Milan Kojic, Peyvand Mossavat (Bayete Smith 74), Joe Mattacchione, Brian Ashton, David Dipacido (Santillana 72), Robbie Aristodemo, Nikki Vingnjevic (Thomas 68), Nikki Budalic, Irasto Knights Atlanta: Bryheem Hancock, Alan Woods, Carl Fletcher, Gilbert Jean-Baptiste, Steve Kraemer (Nate Hetherington 59), Judah Cooks, Philippe Godoy (Ryan Leib 45), Brian Piesner, Velco Iotov (Jordy Broder 90), Jamel Mitchell, Iggy Moleka (John Barry Nusum 64) Scorers Toronto: Budalic (Aristodemo) (21), Budalic (Aristodemo) (74) Atlanta: Iotov (Mitchell) (36), Piesner (78), Jean-Baptiste (Piesner) (95) Shots Toronto: 9 Atlanta: 16 Saves Toronto: 3 Atlanta: 3 Corner Kicks Toronto: 5 Atlanta: 7 Cautions Toronto: Diplacido, Reda , Knights, Mattacchione Atlanta: Moleka, Jean-Baptiste Ejections Toronto: Santillana Atlanta: None Man of the Match: Gilbert Jean-Baptiste (Atlanta) The Toronto Lynx next game is on the road Saturday, May 4 against Charlotte. Kick off is 7:30 p.m. Toronto Lynx Media Relations Contact: Eric Michalko (416) 251-4625, ext. 25
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