Austin Aztex News Release -- www.austinaztex.com
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
AUSTIN, Texas -- The Austin Aztex can take back first place in the Mid South Division when they face the Laredo Heat at 8:15 p.m. CT on Wednesday night in Laredo.
“It is a good game coming up,” said Paul Dalglish. “It is good when you challenge yourselves against good teams, and that is what we want to do against Laredo.”
Three points separate the two sides after the Heat tied the New Orleans Jesters 3-3 on Sunday. With the Texas Dutch Lions also upsetting the El Paso Patriots 2-1 last Saturday, Austin has the chance to gain a three-point cushion over El Paso for the final playoff spot in the Mid South Division.
The match against Laredo will be the third time the two sides have met in eight days, with the Aztex winning the most recent contest 1-0 at House Park. Although Austin played more defensively in the second half, Dalglish plans to read the game first before deciding how the team will play.
Either way, the team that scores first has won the last three match-ups, and the games have been decided by two goals or less. Surprisingly, the team with the majority have possession has lost in the past three matches, and both club’s goalkeepers have been fantastic.
In the first two matches, Emmanuel Frias shut the door on the Aztex giving up no goals, but Devin Cook outplayed Frias on Friday when he made seven saves, a few that were spectacular diving efforts to deny the Heat.
Top performers for Laredo have been Frias, with two shutouts against Austin, and Juan de Dios Ibarra-Trevino, who scored two goals in the three previous matchups. Max Gunderson has performed well, providing width for the Heat attack down the right flank, and Gregory Mulamba has kept Laredo’s midfield composed, playing as the defensive midfielder for the Heat.
“[Laredo has] a couple of players that can knock the ball around,” Aztex defensive midfielder Zach Garcia said. “If we are tight on their midfielders and don’t let them distribute, we will shut down their attacking game.”
Michael Lisch has continued training with the Aztex, but it is doubtful he will see any time on the pitch. Dillon Powers (groin), Blake Smith (groin), Tony Rocha (hamstring), J.J. Elder (calf), Ronald Caicedo (back), and Kyle Emerson (ankle) are unavailable due to injury.
Khiry Shelton, who played his first game with the Aztex on Saturday, moved on from the Super-20 squad after a couple of impressive performances. The 6-foot-3 striker played high school soccer at Vista Ridge, and Shelton’s height adds another dimension to the Aztex attack. The Oregon State player has also represented the United States at the U-18 level.
Shelton and the rest of the Aztex can even the season series against Laredo with a win. The victory would also put the pressure back on the Heat to win their next game, as Austin would be in first due to goal differential. Laredo has allowed only one goal at home all season to a PDL opponent, and that was during a 2-1 May victory against the El Paso Patriots. To win, the Aztex will need to join the Patriots as opponents who have been able to find the net in Laredo.
“Hopefully, we can even up the series and get another win against them,” Aztex defender Travis Golden said. “Gain three points on them as well and try to get that lead back in the Mid South Division.”