CHAD GOAL-BERT ON TARGET AGAIN AS OM BEATS INTERNATIONAL 3-1

Salt Lake City. Sept. 25, 2005.--Olympique Montreux and storied International FC locked horns last night in an emotionally charged football game that attracted fans from all over the state. They were not deceived as the two teams offered a display of high caliber.

From the starting whistle, International's super eagles left no doubt they are the reigning champions and that the Olympians were not welcome in a West Jordan Soccer Complex where they have known incomparable success.

The game was an emotional homecoming of sort for several Olympique Montreux players who called International home since they were schoolboys, and contributed to the super eagles' glory.

The Olympians had a stuttering start, finding it difficult to settle down and execute Bel-Ami de Montreux's new look offensive formation. Each time they started a good flow, International's overly aggressive midfielders bulldozed them aside.

It took several moments of brilliance by Paul Williams at the center of defense and with the help of Mike Polich, John McQuarrie and Jeremy Jones to tame International's adrenaline-charged runs toward the area. Keeper Davin Zimmerman did not have to worry much, although he remained vigilant.

Though pushed around and bullied, OM's Sergio Vasquez, Jake Cavanaugh, Chad “Goal-bert” Gilbert, Jesse Day and Tracy McGuire kept the pressure on International, firing shots after shots on goal. Inter's influential goalkeeper Larkein Noble had to stay on his toes to avoid the goal deluge that drowned both Pan World and Orem City when they played the Olympians earlier in the season.

At the 20-minute mark, Cavanaugh's shot narrowly missed the spot. Two minutes later, McGuire beat International's great Brock Varoz. His superb cross flashed dangerously in the area, but Day was late arriving and missed a header.

Four minutes later, Vasquez collected a pass from playmaker Nate Murphy with his back on goal. The dangerous forward spun around, and in the same motion let go a hard right footer that crashed inside the right post and rebounded in the net.

Sergoooooooaaaallll!

The crowed rose and roared as Vasquez ran downfield, holding up the team's crest on his number “9” jersey, kissing it.

“Nobody who has ever played for OM other than me has done that in our six years of existence. That spontaneous gesture touched me. I will remember this moment forever,” said de Montreux at half time.

After Vasquez's goal, OM stepped up the attack, looking to floor the wounded super eagles.

Having received the ball in his own half, Murphy pushed forward and sent in a powerful shot that bruised the top of the woodwork. Jesse Day also came close to scoring a second goal at the 39-minute, and Gilbert took his chances as well. The first half closed 1-0.

The second half started much like the first. This time, anticipating a brutal onslaught, OM exercised caution and changed its offensive strategy to a more defensive midfield scheme anchored by brothers Hugh and Arthur Van Wagenen.

The strategy seemed to work immediately as the Olympians' realignment cut down the passing lanes and International, although running hard, could not take a good look at goal while OM was having success going forward.

But for the heroics of Todd Miller, International's superb center full back and MLS Columbus Crew alumnus, and Noble's acrobatic saves, the Olympians would have piled on several goals in the first fifteen minutes.

OM had to play with 10 men with twenty five minutes to go when Hugh Van Wagenen was sent off after collecting his second yellow card. The game's balance then tilted in favor of the experienced super eagles. OM found itself pushed back as International blitzed forward, looking for the equalizer.

To stymie the attacks, de Montreux kept Vasquez as a lone striker, sent Polich in as a third defensive midfielder. The strategy failed immediately as a fast International winger exploited the repositioning, placed a dangerous ground ball in the area that OM's defenders failed to clear. In the ensuing brouhaha in the penalty area, International forward Jason Jentz managed to toe poke the ball into Zimmerman's net.

After International equalized, it appeared that the game was heading to a tie and the dreaded penalty shootout.

The Olympians pulled in deep with seven minutes to go. Left fullback McQuarrie went up field and blasted a searing shot in Noble's net to recapture the lead. OM kept the pressure on and International was lucky to not have surrendered two more goals during regulation.

In added time, as the referee was lifting his whistle to his lips, Gilbert let go a looping volley that left Noble frozen in place as the ball went in the top right corner of the net.

What a finish after last week's disappointment. OM recaptured its spirit when it had to. It followed its Olympic slogan, Citius, Altius, Fortius. In other words, Swifter, Higher, Stronger.

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OLYMPIANS NOTES:

“ I am very pleased with our efforts today, said BEL-AMI DE MONTREUX after the match. “I still find it hard to believe we dropped points to Utah Mix last week. But we had our talks during the week and we put our lessons to practice. We hope to continue on the right track and play in the Daynes Cup on October 29. We want that piece of silverware badly.”

JT CRACROFT did not dress for the game because of his knee injury sustained last week against Utah Mix. “I'll be back in no time,” said the crafty defender who watched the game on television with his bride at his ranch in Vail, Colorado. The jet setting Cracrofts plan to fly directly to Hawaii this week to link up with Nate Murphy and his wife for a long-planned vacation. Management hopes the two Olympians will stay away from fast food, cheap Hawaiian whisky and bad surf.

ERICK IVAN MORALES played a few minutes to test his knee. “I have to improve my fitness. I believe I am almost there. I hope to contribute next week,” he explained.

JOSH KIMBALL did well for OM. It is hoped that the man who scored six goals in last season's playoffs, including two goals against Park City FC to help the team win promotion to the Premiership will get more minutes next week when OM takes its growing popularity on the road to Orem to face an improved Orem City FC.

MATT WOOLLEY is trying hard to join his teammates. OM will need the midfielder's help next week in the absence of playmaker Nate Murphy

JESSE DAY played well on his sore knee. The winger hopes to regain full speed next week.

PAUL WILLIAMS showed calm and cool directing the back line. As he gains wind in his sail, the defender will become more and more invaluable to the team.

MIKE POLICH, the architect who basically recruited most of the new players on the team is pleased that the men are feeling right at home at Olympique Montreux. They refer to the team as the OM family.

It is still not clear why HUGH VAN WAGENEN was red-carded. The team is awaiting the game report before deciding whether to appeal the referee's harsh decision.

ELI DOTTO who practices with team has not been able to get in the line-up for the past two or three games. With the competition intensifying, OM is finding it difficult to deviate from the normal rotation.

JEREMY JONES and ARTHUR VAN WAGEMEN registered solid performances despite International's rough tackles.

TRACY MCGUIRE played a great game and MIKE ROGERS added steel in the midfield.

ARRON BRUDERER might not travel to OREM CITY next Saturday. It is his son's birthday. But his wife has given him a way out if he gets everything ready for the birthday bash on time. DAVIN ZIMMERMAN is on standby to fill his shoes.