Kitsap Pumas News Release -- www.kitsapsoccerclub.com
Saturday, July 30, 2011
FRESNO, Calif. -- For two teams that are located nearly 2,000 miles apart, the Kitsap Pumas and the Ventura County Fusion sure are getting to know each other well. Meeting for the third-straight year in the PDL’s Western Conference playoffs, the Pumas used an early Bryan Burke goal to notch a nifty 1-0 win on a hot Saturday afternoon at Chuckchansi Park in Fresno.
The teams had split the first two playoff matches with Ventura winning in 2009 on a 93rd-minute free kick and Kitsap winning last year on penalties.
“The longer the series goes, the more comfortable you are with it,” Pumas head coach Peter Fewing said.
Burke took full advantage of his early chance on goal. After a Ventura turnover in the midfield, Pumas defender Steve Mohn gained control and played a deep through ball towards Burke. Burke sped past two Fusion defenders and was able to get a good touch on the ball and put it past the far post for the 10th-minute goal.
“I was able to get behind and Steve played me a great ball over the top,” Burke said. “I tried to get it to the corner and tap it in. I did."
Once the Pumas grabbed the early lead, it was up to the PDL’s best defense to control the high-scoring Fusion attack. Ventura, enlisting two forwards in its starting lineup for the first time this season, was able to pressure the Kitsap defense throughout the first half, getting off 10 shots, compared to just three for the Pumas.
And the Fusion had numerous chances to net their equalizer. Their first real chance came when Callum Riley maneuvered through the middle of the Kitsap defense to find himself nearly alone on goal, however his shot had no power or direction behind it and Pumas' goalkeeper Bryan Meredith was able to make an easy save. That was one of the nine saves that he made in the first half alone.
“It’s nice to have a great goalkeeper - the best in the league,” said defenseman Taylor Hyde. “He is a special player.”
The best chance for Ventura came on the first corner kick of the game in the 35th minute off Fusion attacker Danny Barrera's high ball eventually led to three point-blank shots - all thwarted by the Puma defense.
“The back four was great,” Meredith said. “They blocked two on the line and made my job a lot easier.”
The chances didn’t come as easy in the second half for Ventura, as the Pumas made additional halftime adjustments to contain the potent Fusion attack. In the 49th minute, Andy Rose sent a long throw-in towards goal where Gyasi Zardes had his sights set on goal, only to have Meredith come over the top to punch the ball away.
The only other good scoring chance the Fusion had came in the 82nd minute - off another long throw-in on the tiny pitch - that got to the foot of Mark Magee, who put his shot just wide of the far post.
"This is a team that has overcome adversity since the first day of trials last Winter," said Pumas executive director Ben Pecora. "They have a ways to go for a title, but shutting out Ventura on the road is a great accomplishment and should stoke the boys' fire for tomorrow."
The Pumas will face host the Fresno Fuego in the Western Conference Championship game on Sunday at 12 p.m. PDT after the Fuego scored twice late to defeat the Victoria Highlanders 3-1 in the second semifinal on a hat trick by Tyler Reinhart.
Reinhart had given the Fuego the lead in the 10th minute, but Victoria hit back in the 19th minute when Tamar Dixon headed home, sending the game to the break even. Reinhart restored Fresno's lead with eight minutes to go, though, taking advantage of a long clearance by goalkeeper Gilbert Vega before firing home. He then added a third in the 90th minute to seal the victory.
The Pumas will be making their second consecutive appearance in the conference final, falling last season to eventual champion the Portland Timbers U-23s.