PDL Feature
Thursday, August 8, 2013
The Austin Aztex claimed their first PDL championship this past Sunday night in front of a crowd of 4,253 fans at House Park. Take a look back at the action with some of the best photos of the Aztex’s 3-1 victory against the Thunder Bay Chill.
The Austin Aztex, in white, and Thunder Bay Chill process onto the field ahead of the 2013 PDL Championship Game, led by PDL Senior Director Ryan Brooks and Thunder Bay Chill Owner John Marello, who greeted the teams before kickoff.
The Austin Aztex and Thunder Bay Chill, and the packed crowd at House Park, face the flags for the singing of national anthems of Canada and the United States. The 4,253 in attendance was a record crowd for the Aztex.
Austin Aztex goalkeeper Devin Cook, who was an All-Southern Conference selection in 2013, prepares for kickoff in front of the Aztex’s supporter’s group, Eberly’s Army.
The Thunder Bay Chill celebrate Pedro Adan’s second-minute goal that gave them an early lead against Austin. Adan was on hand to blast home a rebound after Zetroy Alexander’s initial shot had been turned on frame to put the regular-season champions on top.
Austin’s Sito Seoane puts away a penalty kick past Thunder Bay goalkeeper Daniel Alvarado to tie the game in the seventh minute. The penalty kick was Alvarado’s first action in the game after he was brought on to replace starter Stephen Paterson, who had been sent off after bringing down Aztex forward Kris Tyrpak in the fourth minute, a foul which resulted in the penalty.
Austin forward Sito Seoane claimed the PDL Championship Most Valuable Player award after scoring twice in Sunday’s 3-1 victory. Seoane finished the postseason with five goals in four games, including the game-winning goal in each of the Aztex’s victories on the way to the title.
Austin Aztex captain Zack Pope, left, and Aaron Guillen celebrate following a stoppage-time goal that gave the Aztex a 3-1 halftime lead against Thunder Bay. Pope played a big role in the side’s success during the weekend, providing the cross that led to the second goal in the championship game.
The Austin Aztex regroup in front of Eberly’s Army after taking a 3-1 lead against the Thunder Bay Chill in first-half stoppage time.
A panoramic view of House Park at the start of the second half between the Austin Aztex and Thunder Bay Chill. The 2013 PDL Championship Game was the highest-attended since 2007, when the game was also hosted in Texas by the Laredo Heat.
Austin Aztex captain Zack Pope lifts the PDL Championship Trophy following his side’s 3-1 victory against the Thunder Bay Chill. The win capped a remarkable season for Austin that saw the club go 10-0-0 in the PDL at House Park, lose just once in league play, and see standout forward Kris Tyrpak earn PDL Most Valuable Player honors and Paul Dalglish take Coach of the Year honors.