Friday, May 18, 2012
FRESNO, Calif. -- The Fresno Fuego’s 28-game unbeaten streak in PDL regular season play was brought to an end on Friday night as the Orange County Blues Star took a 3-1 victory at Chukchansi Park. Georgetown’s Andrew Riemer scored a pair of goals, giving Orange County its first victory of the season after opening with three consecutive draws.
The two teams had played to a 1-1 draw last Friday at Concordia University, and as in that contest Orange County took the lead. Riemer opened the scoring in the in the 25th minute, allowing the Blue Star to carry a lead to the halftime break. Orange County then added to its lead six minutes after the break, Adrian Avila finding the back of the net, before Riemer added his second just past the hour-mark, finishing off an opportunity created by San Diego State’s Kevin Bick.
Freeway Insurance, the Auto Insurance Experts, presented the first 1,000 fans with customized vuvuzelas but all the excitement in the stands was not enough to keep the Fuego’s winning streak alive. Forward Jesus Santiago pulled a goal back for the Fuego in the 86th minute, but it was too late for his side to make a proper comeback.
The Fuego have a very busy schedule this coming week with games on Tuesday against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers in the U.S. Open Cup, and Thursday and Saturday in Utah for games against the Ogden Outlaws and BYU Cougars in the PDL, respectively. The winner of Tuesday’s game will meet the San Jose Earthquakes of MLS in the third Round of the Open Cup.
Orange County, meanwhile, returns home to host the Ogden Outlaws on Sunday night as they aim to build on this victory and try to continue their move up the Southwest Division standing.
The Fuego will return to Chukchansi Park on June 15th at 7 p.m. for an important match against the Ventura County Fusion, presented by Xfinity.
All Fuego home games feature free admission for fans, provided by Univision Radio. Free admission vouchers can be printed from the Fresno Fuego’s Facebook Fan Page (www.facebook.com/FresnoFuego) or by visiting Univision Radio on Palm and Herndon in Fresno.