FIGHTING BACK: OM POWERS PAST WESTMINSTER F.C.

By  Jessica LAKEWOOD
Sports Writer

“Quitting is not an option.”

Bel-Ami de Montreux

 HOLLADAY, UTAH (LNS) September 8, 2007—Nearly one week after being kicked out of the Daynes Cup race thanks a loss suffered at the hands of Westminster F.C., the Olympians came roaring back and crushed the same Westminster team 3-0 this evening in Premiership action.

The Olympians’ defense was stellar in their first outing at home at Cottonwood High School.   

Zach BURTON and his central defense partner Mike ROGERS, made sure the speedy Westminster forwards were not going to pass thru the middle to reach keeper Martin MARTINEZ who registered a welcome shoot out.

John McQuarrie on the right side of the field and Richard Bindrup on the left shut down the flanks for 90 solid minutes.

Defensive midfielder Kenan POWELL broke up nearly every Westminster attempt to create something at midfield.

Westminster only had two shots on goal via former Olympian Sergio VASQUEZ who left OM earlier in the week along with Brian Dunseth.

Ricardo MARTINEZ was designated to pull the strings in the middle while Nate MURPHY started out of position at left wing.

The Olympians were dangerous throughout the first half with youngsters Garrett LOSEE and Sina ALIPOUR wrecking havoc trough the opponents’ defensive lines.

In the 18th minute as Sina was sailing goalward after dribbling past two Westminster defenders, one of them pulled him down literally in the area, tearing his number 19 jersey. The central referee did not hesitate to point to the spot kick mark. A confident Josh KIMBALL sent the keeper the wrong way to open the score.

The second coming of Rick Johnson

As Chris Dorich’s men could not defend against the fury of the Olympians, they resorted to violence with Ricardo and Sina their favorite targets for physical abuse.

In the 37th minute Iron Rick Johnson made his official come back after nine months out with a knee injury.

Six minutes after his introduction, the big number 9 took it straight the rack like Shack. Nothing the desperately diving Westminster keeper could do.

In the second half, Westminster reloaded their physical attacks. A frustrated Mauricio BORBA retaliated when a Westminster player assaulted him. Mauricio got a red card while the Westminster player escaped punishment.

In the 67th minute, Rick placed a powerful shot that the Westminster keeper spilled. Jimmy CUADROS pounced on the rebound to score the third goal.

The Olympians controlled the game in the closing minutes while trying to avoid serious injuries.

“We worked as team tonight than in a long time. There were no speculative long balls. We need to still work on turnovers. I am pleased with our physical presence,” said OM manager Bel-Ami.

“We need to hit guys hard.”