FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TORONTO LYNX GAME REPORT presented by Heineken
LYNX RUIN ISLANDERS PARTY!
Overtime goal pushes Toronto past Puerto Rico
Date: Saturday, April 17, 2004
Venue: Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium, Bayamon, Puerto Rico
Attendance: approx. 6,000
Kick off Time: 8:00 PM
Final Score: Toronto 1 Puerto Rico 0 (OT)
Match Summary: The Toronto Lynx opened the 2004 A-League season on a winning note today, much to the dismay of a crowd of over 6,000 on hand for the Puerto Rico Islanders inaugural home opener. Striker, Ali Gerba, picked up where he left off last season, banging home the game-winner off a scramble in front of the Islanders net, ten minutes into overtime. Gerba was last season's offensive star, counting 5 game-winning goals among his team leading 7 tallies. "The match could have gone either way," said new Lynx head coach Duncan Wilde. "It was hard to see exactly what happened but Ali and their defender both had the ball at the same time and it looked like Ali was just able to get it past. But it was a very close match". The Lynx played a textbook road match, taking the crowd out of the game with tough tackling, solid defending, and a counter-attacking style. Although the Islanders carried much of the play, a Lynx break yielding the best scoring chance of the match when midfielder, Edgar Bartolomeu's drive struck the crossbar. Wilde, who earned his first A-League victory, has done a remarkable job molding a talented roster that returned only 7 players from last season. Lynx newcomers played key roles in the match with new goalkeeper, Bryheem Hancock recording the shutout. "This was a great win for us because now we have two weeks off to prepare for the rest of the season," continued Wilde. "Its great to start the season with a road win and we will build on this for the next match in Rochester." The Lynx return from Puerto Rico on Monday and are back in action on Saturday, May 1st in Rochester. Home town fans will have to wait until Sunday, May 16th for the Lynx home opener when they take on the Rochester Raging Rhinos at Centennial Park Stadium at 4pm.
Final Score: Toronto 1 Puerto Rico 0 (OT)
The Lynx next match is Saturday, May 1st at 7:35 PM @ the Rochester Raging Rhinos The Lynx home opener is Sunday, May 16th at 4:00 PM versus the Rochester Raging Rhinos
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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
DAVID NUTT -- MEDIA RELATIONS, TORONTO LYNX
416-251-4625, extension 30
dnutt@lynxsoccer.com
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