USL Game Report
Sunday, January 29, 2012
BRADENTON, Fla. – Charlie Romero scored a hat trick, including a late game-winner, as Team Geometra took a 4-3 win against Team Speciali in their final scrimmage at the USL PRO Combine presented by Umbro at IMG Academies on Sunday morning.
Both teams had early opportunities, Speciali’s Bryce Taylor cutting in from the right side before seeing his low shot saved at the near post. Moments later Geometra took the lead through Romero, who latched onto a good through-ball by Mike Azira and finished well. Azira then came close to scoring himself, driving a shot from 25 yards just over the crossbar.
Speciali got back on even terms as Matt Friesen tucked away a rebound after Ernesto Marquez’s shot, but moments later Romero had his second, heading home to make it 2-1 just before halftime.
Gibson Bardsley created a half-chance early in the second half for Geometra, only for his left-footed shot to be saved. Speciali then tied the game for the second time, Marko Kepcija finishing a good move to make it 2-2.
Jason Gill then gave Speciali a 3-2 lead, pivoting well as he controlled a low cross on the right side of the penalty area and drove a low shot into the left corner of the net.
Geometra hit back almost immediately, though, as a good move down the left was finished by Bardsley from close range. Bardsley then turned provider for Romero’s hat trick, the tall forward finishing the event in style as he scored just before the final whistle to give his side victory.