OLYMPIANS BEAT UP ON STUBBORN DLD F.C. AT WEST JORDAN COMPLEX

Despite the pundits' prediction and public expectation, Olympique Montreux did not burst out of the gates and crush DLD F.C. this evening at the West Jordan Soccer Complex. It took a while for the Olympians to shake the rust of three long weeks without a competitive fixture or a friendly match.

Some of the early rigidity in execution can also be blamed on the cold 25 mile an hour winds that battered the Complex throughout the first half and most of the second half. It took more than twenty minutes before left full back J.T. Cracroft busted through DLD's rather unconventional defensive layout to assist Striker Jake Cavanaugh for the first goal.

Unfazed, DLD continued the long ball assaults through the middle and managed to get a shot pass OM's keeper Davin Zimmerman to equalize at the 30-minute mark. Many OM players protested that the scorer was offside, but the referee ignored the protest and pointed to the center of the field.

DLD's equalizer provided the wake up call OM needed. This was the first time in five games, including the classic against Real Salt Lake, Utah's professional soccer team, that any team had scored against OM so early.

Sergio Vasquez quickly put OM back on top at the 40th minute. Two minutes later, Jeremy Jones put in the third goal, and Vasquez followed with the fourth in typical elegant fashion.

With the score 4-1 at the half, OM appeared on the way to its fourth straight victory. DLD, however, had other ideas. Playing in no recognized soccer formation and mostly blasting long balls as in the first half and running hard, they seemed to keep the ball in the air for the first seven or so minutes.

They should have stuck to that strategy because OM had a difficult time adjusting. But, as DLD, perhaps tired of running, tried to string together a few passes, OM settled down, and took control of the game.

The clinic was on for a long stretch.

With pivot man Nate Murphy pulling the strings in the middle of the field, OM's engine shifted to a higher gear. The passes were lighting fast and each Olympian seemed to be in the right place.

Twenty minutes into the half, Chad Gilbert scored his seventh goal of the season. A few minutes later, Jesse Day's powerful left foot strike hit the woodwork.

Josh Kimball had many opportunities to increase the score, but lacking in fitness, he squandered his chances, mostly shooting wide.

At the 86 minute, Vasquez completed his second hot tricks of the season to bring his tally to a league leading eight goals.

DLD did not go out quietly though, they scored a second goal when Defender Josue Ferrera held on to a ball that he should have cleared out quicker, but lost [it] in the area.

“We learned important lessons today,” admitted Bel-Ami de Montreux. “We cannot take any team for granted. DLD did not line up in any formal soccer formation today and it was difficult to get our game going.

"We project the image of a very offensive side, but I always say that the most important thing is how we function when we lose the ball.

"To play offensively, we must work hard when we lose the ball. The defense and midfield have to push very hard. Frankly, we did not do that today and we all feel we lost something despite the result.”
_____________________________

MAN OF THE MATCH: Sergio Vasquez
______________________________

LEADING SCORERS:

Sergio Vasquez, 8 goals
Chad Gilbert, 6 goals
________________________________

OLYMPIAN NOTES:

Josh Kimball failed to impress his new girlfriend. He squandered a few good chances. The forward has not been seen at practice for a long time. Perhaps he is busy entertaining his new best friend.

JT Cracroft played a very strong game. He was able to foil many of the long ball attacks DLD tried to stage.

Hugh van Wagenan's performance was worthy of high praise. The BYU man was involved in many of OM's best counter attacks.

Paul Williams made a strong debut for OM. He is a valuable member of the squad.

_______________________________
STARTING LINE UP

David Zimmernan, Mike Polich, JT Cracroft, Jeremy Jones, Jesse Day, Nate Murphy, Tracy McGuire, Sergio Vasquez, Jake Cavanaugh, Paul Williams, Arthur Van Wagenen.
_______________________________
SUBSTITUTIONS

Josue Ferrera, Hugh Van Wagenen, Aaron Bruderer, Chad Gilbert, Josh Kimball.