KYLE COPELAND JOINS IN GOAL FESTIVAL AS OM CRUSHED Z.LC. 10-1

By Pierre d’Estaing, Sports Writer

West Salt Lake, UT. (April 26).--Olympique Montreux rolled out the big guns this evening at Riverside Park, and Z.L.C., once known as FC Stoker, was the unfortunate victim of its impressive display. Bel-Ami de Montreux's side did the job with such skills and style that the opponents were left baffled.

In an unforgettable evening, playmaker Kenny Barton opened the score just two minutes after kick off. Sergio Vasquez tallied a hot trick, with two goals in the first half and one in the second. Chad Gilbert added a new page to his goal scoring lore. The midfield totally controlled the game, denying Z.L.C. any opportunity to build three consecutive passes at Riverside Park at any time during the game.

Following its spectacular first half and already leading 6-0, surely nobody can begrudge OM's running up the score. The opportunities were naturally created as the team's strategy was working without a hitch.

Doing the Greek Thing

In the second half, it was an uncharacteristic OM performance, with Bel-Ami's men spending much of the game in their own half, to invite Z.L.C. to attack, and then hit hard on the counter attack. At the 2004 European Cup, Greece won the continental tournament basically playing counter attack football to amazing success. With OM's 6-0 lead in the first half, it was always going to be Z.L.C. who was going to have to do the hard work.

However, it just was not Z.L.C.'s day as OM's aggressive defenders and midfielders plus a tenacious Arthur van Wagenen had little trouble containing any semblance of pressure to perfection, while the attack easily blitzed through the opponents' defense.

With the usual Nate Murphy and Todd Miller trickery combined with Barton's amazing field vision and Tracy McGuire's blazing speed on the right wing, the second half produced even more generous opportunities for OM as Rick Johnson, Josh Kimball, and Kyle Copeland tallied quality goals. It was Joga Bonita, indeed!

In the waning minutes, Z.L.C. did manage to put a goal past keeper Chad Evans who came in for Aaron Bruderer in the second half. Final score, 10-1.

The Hour of Truth Cometh

It is this coming Saturday that the Olympians will be fully tested as the side will face Latin style and grace when it confronts mighty Utah Mix at the West Jordan Soccer Complex, Field # S. in a super classico. OM has traditionally struggled against Latin teams.

It is hoped the team will be buoyed by this evening's performance.