OLYMPIQUE MONTREUX DEFEATS WESTMINSTER COLLEGE FC 3-1

Olympique Montreux News

October 10, 2009

Brad Pino Soccer Field ---Cottonwood, UTAH.---Midfielder Jimmy Cuadros scored at the seventh minute to give Olympique Montreux a good start over Westminster College FC in a classico that could potentially decide the league’s Premiership title.

The powerfully built Jimmy scored on a header from a corner kick taken by captain Tiva Olmedo.

Against a side as explosive as Westminster featuring former OM forward Chad “Goal-bert” Gilbert, it was important to start strong.

In the 15th minute, to the home fans’ dismay, forward Luis Orozco drew a red card for elbowing an opponent who was marking him closely. It is rumored that Orozco spat at the player.

“I felt a cold chill as I saw Orozco being ejected,” said OM manager Bel-Ami.

“Westminster is too physical a team to face short-handed. Orozco needs therapy to control his anger issues.”

With Eduardo “Lalo” Romero remaining the sole striker, OM switched to a 4-4-1 formation with Tiva acting as both attacking midfielder and supporting forward for Lalo.  Jimmy received instructions to strictly do the holding job in the middle.

In the 25th, Westminster’s long ball strategy paid off as Gilbert latched onto one and leveled the score with a sharp angle shot from seven yards out.

Undaunted, OM maintained its composure, playing its trademark quick one touch soccer and dominating possession. Frustrated, several Westminster players started to play rough.

In the 35th minute, Tiva collected a short pass from midfielder Steve McMurdie from the right side of midfield, drove past a charging Westminster midfielder, and pushed trough the middle. From about 35 yards out, he unleashed an unstoppable left foot shot that found the upper left corner of the net despite the keeper’s desperate dive.

The score remained 2-1 at the break.

If the first half produced some good soccer, the second was full of drama.

As play became rougher and Westminster’s golden boy spewing unsanctioned-in-your-face obscenities at the central referee, the officiating crew appeared to be losing control.

In the 66th minute, OM winger Juan Carlos Chamale was graphically hit from behind while inside the area. The ref had no choice but to point to the penalty spot.

Lalo converted the spot kick. OM, 3 --- Westminster, 1.

In the 70th minute, the referee showed winger Jantzen Romney a second yellow card when a Westminster player took an obvious dive upon contact with the speedy Jantzen.

With eight minutes left in regulation time, the referee ejected OM defender Jacob after a Westminster player was grossly retaliated against the defender by following a tackle. Jacob’s straight red car was unexplainable.

Reduced to eight men total, and Westminster players seeking to draw foul to disqualify OM in a game that they were clearly beaten, the Olympians kept their composure and defended well until the final whistle.

With this win, Olympique Montreux has clinched the 2009 Premiership title, leading Westminster by four points in the standings one game left to play for each team.

Next Saturday, Park City Newpark visits the daunting “Brad Pino” Soccer Field at Cottonwood for the last game of the season. OM will not take its feet of the pedal. .

“:we weren’t supposed to contend for anything this year. We lost many players last season. But we worked hard every week. Teams come at us with all they have. It has been a hard season with ups and downs. OM might bend sometimes.  But we never break,” said proud captain Tiva,

 “Bel-Ami always says failure is not an option in this jersey.”

Spoken like a true Olympians.

Premiership Goal Leaders:

Eduardo “Lalo” Romero, 15 goals.

Ivan Tiva, 9 goals

David Chevez, 7 goals