Lions win two in Michigan
Saturday, June 25, 2006
ST LOUIS, MO -- The St Louis Lions left the state of Michigan with four points and are now unbeaten in their last six games. On Friday night they defeated West Michigan Edge 3-0 and followed that with a 2-2 tie with Kalamazoo on Saturday.
In the first game of the road trip the team’s leading scorer Lawrence Olum opened the scoring in the 35th minute with an assist from Jeremiah Essmyer.
The Lions kept their substitutions to a minimum, in the 70th minute Tommy Heinemann came on for forward Brock Chatman as the only change Coach Tony Glavin made.
Heinemann making his debut for the team wasted no time in getting onto the score sheet when he scored the team’s second goal on an assist from Olum following a free kick.
Six Minutes latter Heinemann received the ball in the middle of the pitch, he broke free of a defender, with just the goalkeeper to beat, he kept his composure, went around the goalkeeper and side-footed the ball into the empty net.
"Tommy has added another dimension to our attack with his ability to hold the ball up, and his aerial power is a constant threat," said Coach Glavin
"He was unlucky not to get his hat-trick, he forced their goalkeeper to make a great diving save, and to complete his torment he hit the Michigan crossbar from about twelve yards out," added Glavin.
"We played well throughout the game by controlling the tempo," said Glavin.
In the St Louis goal Brenton Saylor recorded his third shutout of the season in only his fourth start. Although the Lions out shot the edge 10-9, Saylor was the busier of the two keepers having to make five saves in the game.
Saturday, the Lions faced Kalamazoo Kingdom at Vicksburg High School. Five changes were made to the starting line-up from the previous day's game.
After 24 minutes, St Louis found themselves a goal down courtesy of Josh Tudela.
Lee Hagedorn put the Lions level seven minutes later after the build up by Heinemann and Olum.
Kalamazoo wasted no time in regaining the lead in the 35th minute via William Weaver when they found the back of the St Louis net to go up 2-1.
The lead only lasted for seven minutes. From a free kick just outside the penalty box, Jon Fridal passed the ball to Olum, whose shot hit the back of the net and brought his season total of goals to nine, putting the Lions level once again.
"We had worked on set pieces in practice. The ball was tapped to Lawrence Olum who thundered the ball to the back of the net. The goalie did not move," said Glavin.
The Lions dominated the game in the second half, Heinemann hit the post, and with about six minutes to go, Olum had the opportunity to clinch a victory, but he missed a penalty kick.
"We played so well in the second half by creating so many chances in the attacking third of the field. I was very pleased with our play in both games taking four points from six. I felt we deserved all six with the way we finished the second game."
The next game for the Lions is Wednesday night in Kansas City against the Brass, the next home game is Sunday July 2nd against the division leading Boulder Rapids Reserve. Kick off 5pm.
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