Playoffs on hold after Flames give up late equalizer

(New Rochelle, NY - 08/08/2004) — Only 16 seconds away from clinching a Pro Soccer League playoff berth and being able to use their final two regular season games as a chance to rest and relax, the Westchester Flames allowed the Western Mass Pioneers to equalize at 2-2.

Twice the Flames (8-7-3 Northern Division) had a one-goal lead and twice the Pioneers rallied in a hard-fought grudge match, including a beautifully-placed chip by Danny Rudolph with 16 seconds left in regulation that eluded the grasp of Flames keeper Guillermo Valencia inside the far post.

“We did (have the game won) and I think that might have been a problem because a lot of guys relaxed a bit and thought the game was over,” said Flames captain Laurence Piturro. “You have to stay focused for 90 minutes-plus. That’s usually when goals happen, in the first five minutes and the last five minutes.”

Today's outcome makes the upcoming road games that much more difficult, and meaningful. The New Hampshire Phantoms, 9-9-1, 28 points, remain in first place in the division in spite of two losses this weekend against Harrisburg and Pittsburgh. The Flames, 8-7-3, 27 points, would have taken over first place in the division with a win, but all is not lost. One point out of the final two games, and the Flames should advance to the playoffs.

“We have two away games and it’s difficult, but we have to do it,” said Flames coach Gus Skoufis. “I told them before the game that this was the game to win but…it happens and it never ends until it’s over.”

Hindering the Flames next Saturday will be the absence of Costea Decu, who must serve a one-game suspension for accumulation of yellow card penalty points. His card in the 55th minute put him over the limit.

“Costea’s a key player for us, he opens the game well, he controls the ball well and finishes for us when he can,” Piturro said. “We’re going to miss him.”

After Decu put the Flames in front in the 34th minute, burying a quick counter attack after the Pioneers’ third corner of the first half, Western Mass tied the game in the 63rd minute on a play started by Rudolph.

Rudolph, who came on for an injured Patrick Teague in the 22nd minute, made a run down the right flank and crossed the ball in front where he found Robbie Jachym at the far post, for his sixth goal of the year.

The Flames regrouped and took a 2-1 lead in the 78th minute on a goal seemingly from nothing by Evaud Thompson. After a broken play, the Flames leading scorer found the ball at his feet and ripped it under the left post from 14 yards out for his team-leading 14th goal of the year.

Thompson’s strike should have been enough, especially against a Western Mass team that was missing several players to injury as well as leading scorer Everson Maciel who was serving a one-game suspension after being sent off in the Pioneers’ 2-1 loss to the Flames last Saturday.

But the Flames lost their concentration defensively and Rudolph made them pay in the 90th minute, when he chipped Patrick Barry’s cross into the net for his fifth goal of the year.

“We had it here, we should have taken advantage of the lead, we should have played a little smarter and tried to hold the ball a bit more,” Piturro said. “Western Mass is a good side and they have nothing to lose. That’s the most dangerous team, when they have nothing to lose.”

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Match Report

Westchester 2 :: 2 Western Mass

Westchester Flames
Guillermo Valencia; Julian Kapaj, Laurence Piturro, Frank Gizzo, Oliver Gonzalez; Fredy Nava, Alex Tobon-Villa (Daniel Ribeiro-71), Roberto Esquivel, Wanderson Oliveira (Julio Nosta-64); Costea Decu, Evaud Thompson.

Western Mass Pioneers
Bryan O’Quinn; Jay Willis, Sean McCabe, Tony Fernandes, Kyle Fletcher; Patrick Barry, Danny Dalippi, Patrick Teague (Danny Rudolph-22), Chris Mogavero; Jeff Deren, Robbie Jachym.

Scoring
Westchester — Costea Decu (Alex Tobon-Villa) 34
Western Mass — Robbie Jachym (Danny Rudolph) 63
Westchester — Evaud Thompson 78
Western Mass — Danny Rudolph (Patrick Barry) 90

Discipline
Western Mass — Patrick Barry (yellow card) 13
Western Mass — Jeff Deren (yellow card) 24
Westchester — Costea Decu (yellow card) 55
Westchester — Oliver Gonzalez (yellow card) 84
Westchester — Daniel Ribeiro (yellow card) 87
Westchester — Julian Kapaj (yellow card) 99
Western Mass — Danny Rudolph (yellow card) 107

Match Statistics

(WFL::WMA)
Shots 17::14, Saves 6::1, Corner Kicks 3::3, Fouls 22::21, Offsides 4::6

Officials:
Referee: Stevan Ambrus
AR 1: Richard Sanchez
AR 2: Albert Calise
4th: Jose Carlos Rivero

Attendance — 182

08/07/2004