IMPACT SPOIL LYNX HOME OPENER
ZE ROBERTO AND MARTIN NASH TEAM TO SINK THE LYNX IN FRONT OF A LARGE OPENING DAY CROWD
Date: Saturday, May 10th, 2003
Venue: Centennial Park Stadium, Toronto, ON
Attendance: 2,555
Kick off Time: 4:00 PM
Final Score: Toronto 0 Montreal 2
Match Summary: The Montreal Impact defeated the Toronto Lynx 2-nil this afternoon at Centennial Park Stadium in Etobicoke in front of 2,555 soccer fans, on hand for the Lynx' seventh home opener. Brazillian midfielder Ze Roberto headed home both goals for the Impact off Martin Nash passes. The loss dropped the Lynx' record to 1-1 on the season, and 5-2 overall in home openers.
A large crowd was on hand on a cool afternoon to take in the Lynx' first home game in 2003 and were treated to an upbeat pre-game ceremony celebrating their hometown heroes, which included performances by the Toronto Lynx Dance Team, Jacqueline's School of Dance and a rousing rendition of the national anthem by young Toronto singer Neil Wadhvana. Mayoral candidate John Nunziata kicked off the season with the traditional ceremonial kick before the game.
The Impact, who lost their season opener 1-0 to Charleston on April 27, came out strong from the opening whistle and took the lead in 30th minute when Ze Roberto headed a Martin Nash corner kick just inside the far post past Lynx goalkeeper Theo Zagar. Nash was making his made his Impact debut after spending the last three seasons with the Rochester Raging Rhinos and the winter with Macclesfield Town of the English Third Division. The two combined once again in the 52nd minute when Nash crossed the ball from the right side and Ze Roberto once again headed it past Zagar into the Lynx net. The Lynx continued to press for the remainder of the match but were unable to convert their chances. The Impact dropped most of their players back into a defensive position after taking the early lead, and Greg Sutton, the 6' 6 Montreal goalkeeper made big saves when he was called upon.
Lynx forward Sebastion Barclay, who scored the team's first goal of the season left the game late in the first half after taking an elbow in the face from an Impact player. Ryan Lucas replaced the sniper but was unable to score for the Lynx.
Robbie Aristodemo was selected by the media as the first winner of the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) Blue Collar Award, recognizing the team's hardest working player during the game. Lynx captain and 2002 MVP Theo Zagar was also stellar in a losing cause.
The Lynx next home game is on Wednesday afternoon, May 14, when the expansion Syracuse Salty Dogs make their first visit to Toronto, with a 12:00 noon kick-off for the club's popular annual School Day game. The Lynx will also take to the pitch at Centennial Park Stadium on Victoria Day, Monday May 19, at 6:00 PM against arch-rivals the Rochester Raging Rhinos. .
First Half Highlights:
7th Minute: Zagar dives and deflects a Nash one-timer over the Lynx net.
9th Minute: Sebrango takes a long distance shot but is thwarted by Zagar.
16th Minute: Nash shot just misses, going by right post.
19th Minute: Ashton redirects a Vignjevic cross but shot is grabbed by Sutton.
30th Minute: Ze Roberto heads home a Nash corner kick. Montreal 1, Toronto 0
37th Minute: Hard Ashton shot sails over Impact net.
Second Half Highlights:
49th Minute: Lucas takes Vignjevic cross in the box, but is unable to direct it past Sutton.
52nd Minute: Ze Roberto once again heads Nash cross past Zagar into the Lynx net. Montreal 2, Toronto 0
55th Minute: Sebrango dives and redirects Biello past just past the post.
72nd Minute: Sutton stops Vincello point blank shot off Aristodemo cross.
79th Minute: Nash free kick from just outside the box narrowly drifts over crossbar.
80th Minute: Diving stop by Zagar robs Ze Roberto and prevents him from getting hat trick.
Final Score: Toronto 2 Montreal
Lineups
Toronto: Zagar, Veenhof, Vincello, Serioux, Mayard (Blicharski, 79) , Ashton, Mattacchione, Aristodemo, Vignjevic (Thomas, 58), Barclay (Lucas, 38), Ngon
Montreal: Sutton, Pizzolitto, Gervais, Barker (Arango, 87), Fronimadis, DeSantis (McDonald 89), Ze Roberto, Leduc (Williams, 75), Nash (Francois, 80), Sebrango, Biello (Rowland, 61)
Cautions: Toronto: Aristodemo (56), Veenhof (78); Montreal: Pizzolitto (68), Sebrango (90)
Ejections: None
Shots: Toronto 8, Montreal 8
Saves: Toronto 3, Montreal 3
Fouls: Toronto 15, Montreal 19
Corners: Toronto 3, Montreal 3
Offsides: Toronto 0, Montreal 6
Scorers: Ze Roberto 2 (30, 52)
The Lynx next home games are Wednesday May 14 at 12:00 PM versus the Syracuse Salty Dogs and on Monday May 19 at 6:00 PM versus the Rochester Raging Rhinos. Tickets can be purchased for both games by calling the Lynx Ticket Hotline at 416-251-4625 x 31 or by visiting www.lynxsoccer.com.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL
DAVID NUTT
PUBLIC RELATIONS COORDINATOR
416-251-4625 ext. 30
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