TOREADOR JUDD SODERBORG LEADS OM OVER OGDEN LOBOS

 By  R. C. HICKEY-FREEMAN
Sports Writer

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH (LNS) May 12, 2007——Justin BRAUN and Jimmy CUADROS scored one goal each in the second half to keep Olympique Montreux undefeated and alone in first place after a “Sixth Round” Utah Premiership action today at Riverside Park.

Ogden Lobos controlled the game in the first half, with their speedy midfielders causing much trouble for the Olympians’ defense. Bel-Ami’s lads just were not executing their game plan that called for double-teaming the skillful playmakers from northern Utah and to use the wings to open up Ogden’s disciplined defense.

El Tanque firing blanks

Despite their opponents’ better ball possession, the Olympians looked dangerous in the box with leading scorer David “El Tanque” CHEVEZ coming close to opening the score a few times.

In the 10th minute, matador Tanque’s overhead kick looked promising but narrowly missed.

In the 24th minute, wide out man Josh KIMBALL passed to El Tanque who dummied to let the ball for Nate MURPHY who shot wide. In the 40th minute, Chris KIRKPATRICK’s powerful long distance kick hit the bar before bouncing out of bounds.

A few Martin outstanding moments

The men from Ogden looked to do harm down field as well. In the 15th minute, keeper Martin Martinez saved a sure goal with his right foot while diving in the wrong direction. In the 39th minute, Martin was again called into a full dive to punch out a Lobos freekick. 

No ping pong please!

The Olympians went on the field at the restart heeding experienced midfielder Brian DUNSETH’s advice that they were not going to be effective copying Ogden’s long lateral balls. They began to play simple soccer with the industrious Judd SODERBORG showing the way.

The change in attitude and tactics confused Ogden. The Olympians’ back line was able to control the deep, long passes while the midfielders upped their act. In the 55th minute, El Tanque danced through the defense, but fired wide.

Three minutes later, a very mobile Jimmy attempted a diving header from a Nate Murphy corner, but the attractive effort sailed over the bar.

Justin Braun on target

With super strikers Rick Johnson and Sergio Vasquez in attendance, young Justin Braun who had not scored in the last two fixtures exploded on the right side, outpacing his markers and firing a powerful ground shot. The keeper managed to put a hand on the ball but it crossed the white line anyway. 1-0.

Ogden Lobos further panicked after the goal and just could not bring the ball up with Judd showing why he should start as a holding midfielder against Rush Elite next Tuesday.

In the 70th minute, an unmarked Jimmy beat the offside trap, curling the ball home to assure the Olympians sole first place in the standing.

The match finished with Ogden quite angry with the refs for not judging Jimmy offside when he scored the second goal.

Diablos manager, Jerry Balazalatin, and a cohort of Diablos players left the park, looking rather depressed.

“This was a tale of two halves,” said OM manager Bel-Ami. Ogden Lobos is a very good team and we welcome the competition. If they manage to stay together, they will be successful. Sadly though, with “El Diablo” Jerry lurking around, it should not surprise anyone if he lures half of the Ogden Lobos team to his side soon with money offers and other perks…”

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MEn of the Match: Judd SODERBORG

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GOAL COUNTER

David Chevez, 10 goals

Jimmy Cuadros, 7

Justin Braun, 6 goals

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STARTING LINE UP

Martin Martinez, Brian Dunseth, Judd Soderborg, Jesse Day, Nate Murphy, Matt Woolley, Josh Kimball, Jeremy Jones, Todd Miller, David Chevez. Justin Braun.

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SUBSTITUTIONS

John McQuarrie, Chris Kirkpatrick, Mike Rogers, Louis Staley, Aaron Bruderer

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Olympian Notes: It was good to have Sergio and Ricky with us this evening. Both Olympians are injured and facing serious knee surgeries soon. How can we forget that both men combined for more than 40 goals last season when the side won the treble.