OM BEATS RAGING YETIS, QUALIFIES FOR OPEN CUP SEMIFINAL

Olympique Montreux, 9
Raging Yetis, 0

Pierre d'Estaim
Sports Writer

WEST JORDAN, UT. (Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2006).-Mauricio Borba starred in an emphatic victory as Raging Yetis was swept aside by a crusading Olympique Montreux team in superb form at this crucial point in the season.

OM dominated from the start in a one-sided first half. The pace and power of Ricky Johnson, coupled with the cunning and finesse of Tiger Fitzpatrick and Kenny Barton effectively killed the game off in the early minutes.

With Mike Rogers giving a near-perfect performance, the absent Todd Miller was not missed and Bel-Ami's team will be brimming with confidence ahead of Thursday's Utah Open Cup semifinal and Saturday’s clash with Bosnia United.

Miller rested

Nobody was surprised that Todd took a break and that Bel-Ami lined up MR at the heart of the defense with the equally fearsome General JT Cracroft alongside him. The recently bald GeneralC racroft had a fantastic first half. With Kenny and Tiger providing midfield steel in front of the back four, the Olympians were rarely troubled defensively.

This game was Ricky’s first start of the season having been in impressive form lately.

Teamwork pays off

OM got off to a perfect start. In the 12th minute, Ricky opened the scoring, completing a stunning team effort. Chad Gilbert combined well with Tiger and Kenny outside the penalty area before presenting the ball on a tray to iron man Johnson who slotted home. The dummy run of Sergio Vasquez was crucial in helping pull the defense apart. Sergio was at his marauding best in the first half. Jesse Day was on fire early on, serving golden crosses upon golden crosses.

In the 20th minute, the Olympians went a gear higher. In the 24th Kenny almost finished a fine move from Tiger, and two minutes later Ricky scored again when JT’s laser-sharp pass forced a defensive error.

The Olympians came back in the second half with mayhem in mind.

In the 47th minute, Everton do Prado kicked over the bar.  Tracy McGuire came close as well barely one minute after.  Eight minutes later, Nate Murphy forced the keeper into an acrobatic dive to save what looked like a sure goal.

In the 60th minute, Mauricio set up Chad who coolly nutmegged the goalkeeper to the delight of Bel-Ami and the fans.

Five minutes later, Jesse caused an own goal as the keeper spilled his powerful shot and a hurried defender booted into his own net. In the 69th minute, Mauricio did a Zidane with the defenders and scored a sweet little goal.

Not be outdone, Sergio made sure to tally on a golden pass from Tiger. Mauricio closed the scoring with a penalty kick in the 80th minute.

Thereafter, the Olympians served a lesson in ball control. With the game won, OM kept Raging Yetis at arms’ length while still creating some thrilling football.

If the first half was all about Ricky Johnson, the last twenty minutes was about the “Boss,” Paul Williams. The veteran center back was a rock at the heart of the defense and, with Jeremy Jones and John McQuarrie looking equally solid, the defensive performance was solid.

In the closing stages, with one eye on the Open Cup quarterfinal in two days, and the much-anticipated Bosnia United derby on Saturday, Bel-Ami made the most of the opportunity to rest some tired legs and give some important minutes to other players.