Gauchos, Nacional draw 1-1 in pre-season exhibition
SAN DIEGO, CA -- The second season of the San Diego Gauchos kicked off Saturday evening in an exhibition with cross-border rival Nacional de Tijuana. With one win and loss apiece heading into the third match between the two teams, the series remained even at 1-1-1 with the match played to a 1-1 draw. Goals were scored by Tijuana player Juan Caballero and Gaucho rookie Fabian Sandoval.
Familiar Faces, Continued Rivalries
First Half
The Gauchos started the game with nine of eleven players returning from last year. Newcomers Anthony Battaglia and Mike Prindiville rounded out the starting line-up, playing midfield and left defenseman. True to Gauchos form, Gaucho players spread across the field and played the ball from side-to-side, surgically seeking opportunities to attack. First half Gaucho highlights include a pair of offensive strikes by Kiko Medina and Chris Larsen. The Chula Vista native Larsen had three shots on goal, including one on net, before suffering a gash acros> e forehead and retiring from the match. Nacional also moved the ball around the field fluidly. Nacional midfielders Antonio Saing and Ernesto Luna both had scoring opportunities, testing Gaucho 2nd year keeper, Dan Sirota. After 45 minutes, the score was even at nil.
Second Half
Scoring started in the 63th minute with tally by the men from Tijuana. Nacional midfielder Juan Caballero capitalized on a Gaucho defensive miscue to put the first score on the board. In attempting to clear the ball out of the Gaucho defensive third, the Gaucho defense lost control of the ball and Caballero was happy to take it away. With Gaucho keeper Sirota out of position, Caballero slotted the first score of the evening. Nacional 1-0.
Despite the deficit, the Gauchos fought back. Gaucho newcomer Fabian Sandoval had the first Gaucho mark of the season in the 77th minute with a right-footed strike which ricocheted off the left post and into the back of the net. Sandoval’s strike came off of a feed from 2nd season utility specialist, Robbie Monroe. Monroe proved key in the 2nd half offensive effort with three shots on goal including a one-touch, right-footed volley which narrowly missed its mark with a timely save by Nacional keeper Toxqui Alfredo. After 90 minutes, the score remained even at 1-1.
The game stats, like the final score, were fairly even. Gauchos had 13 total shots with seven on goal. Nacional had 17 shots with six on net. Gaucho keeper Sirota had seven saves while Nacional keeper Toxqui had six. Fouls were ten to seven for the Gauchos and Nacional, respectively. Corner kicks were five to four in favor of the Gauchos.
These two teams matched up well. The players from both teams are skilled and are in the process of improving those skills. Although the striking power and talent of Herculez Gomez will be missed, the Gauchos worked well as a unit to even the match and to come away with a draw. With practice, refinement and conditioning, the 2003 season looks to be an exciting one.
The next pre-season match is this Friday at 7:30pm at Southwestern College against Leon. Leon defeated Nacional 2-0 in a recent meeting and will be a significant test for the 2nd year Gaucho squad. Purchase advance tickets at www.ticketweb.com or www.sandiegogauchos.com
Regular season action begins Saturday, April 5th against California in the Central Valley. Home action begins against Utah Friday, April 25th. The Gauchos will face their 2002 nemesis in a back-to-back format with a second match to be played the following evening Saturday, April 26th. Utah ended the 2002 Gauchos playoff run in an overtime match that ended 1-0. Game locations are to be announced.
Tickets for home matches are $7 for adults and $4 for kids, 14 and under. Season passes are $72 for adults, good for 12 matches, nine regular season home games and three exhibition matches. Youth season passes are $36.
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