from Lynx media
For Immediate Release
Toronto Lynx Game Report
Presented by Carlsberg
Lynx Battle to Draw in Virginia Beach
Date: May 1, 2005
Venue: Virginia Beach Sportsplex, Virginia Beach, Virginia
Attendance: 572
Kick Off Time: 6:00 EST
Final Score: Virginia Beach 1 Toronto 1
Match Summary:
After a disappointing loss to Richmond on Saturday night, the Toronto Lynx traveled across state to play the Virginia Beach Mariners at the Sportsplex in Virginia Beach, Virginia this evening. Virginia was hoping to improve on their 1-2-1 record this season, while the Lynx continued their hunt for their first win of the season. The Lynx had a franchise record of 4-5-0 against Virginia Beach heading into tonight's match. The last encounter between the two sides in Virginia Beach ended in a 3-2 victory for the home side back in May of 2004. Toronto hoped to improve their offense which had produced one goal in three games, coming via striker Ali Gerba's first goal of the season (against Richmond) last night. It was Virginia Beach who opened the scoring through Darren Caskey after 36 minutes. The Mariner's were ahead as the first half whistle blew.&nb sp; The Lynx equalized in the 58th minute through newly acquired Jamaican international Winston Grifiths. The man on loan from Arnett Gardens of the Jamaican Premier League, who had just been brought on by Lynx Head Coach Hubert Busby Jr., connected with Conrad Smith's flick-on pass and slotted it by Mariners' goalkeeper Matt Nelson. The Lynx defended fiercely as full-time approached, with Rick Titus and Rumba Munthali cautioned in the in the 73rd and 79th minute respectively. Conrad Smith was shown a red in the 75th minute for a dangerous tackle. The Mariners could not capitalize on their numerical superiority and it was 1-1 as the final whistle sounded. Toronto Lynx Head Coach Hubert Busby Jr. was satisfied with the result but thought that his team could have come away with a win. "We could have come away with three points tonight. We eliminated mistakes from l ast night and were the better team for the first 35 minutes of the second half." Busby Jr. told lynxsoccer.com from Virginia Beach. Looking ahead to next weekend's two matches, Busby Jr. said; "We will continue to improve and work towards getting ourselves in the win column. We deserved a win this weekend." The Lynx rest in 8th position in the USL First Division after tonight's draw. Toronto will play their fifth of six games on the road when they visit Richmond on May 6, for a 7:30 PM EST kickoff. It will be the second last game away from home before returning home to Centennial Stadium on May 15 to face title holders Montreal Impact.
Final Score: Virginia Beach 1 Toronto 1
Cautions: Toronto: Piette 25, Titus 73, Munthali 79
Ejections: Toronto: Smith 75
Shots: Virginia Beach 16, Toronto 6
Scorers: Virginia Beach: Caskey (unassisted) 36, Toronto: Grifiths (Smith) 58
The Toronto Lynx next game is in Charleston against the Battery on May 6, 2005.
Lynx home opener is on May 15th against the Montreal Impact at Centennial Park Stadium at 4:00 PM.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
DAVID NUTT, MEDIA RELATIONS
416-251-4626 EXT. 30
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