Thunder defeats Salty Dogs 4-2
BLAINE, MN -- The Minnesota Thunder defeated the Syracuse Salty Dogs 4-2 Saturday in front of 3,478 fans at the National Sports Center. The match doubled as World No Tobacco Day, Scout and Church night, and featured a post-game concert by Woodland Church Community.
The win increased the Thunder’s (6-2-0, 18 pts.) first-place lead in the Central Division to six points over Cincinnati. The Riverhawks (4-4-0, 12 pts.) lost Friday 4-1 to Richmond. Minnesota’s 18 points is the most in the A-League. Charleston currently has 16 points.
Thunder midfielder Hugo Llamas opened the scoring in the 15th minute notching his first goal of the season from 12 yards out on an assist from midfielder Marco Ferruzzi. The scoring opportunity was set-up of a free kick by Ferruzzi from 30 yards out. The initial shot was deflected by the Salty Dogs wall of defenders directly back to Ferruzzi who chipped the ball over the defense to a streaking Llamas from the left side.
Neil McNab of the Salty Dogs scored the equalizer in the 22nd minute. Forward Lars Lyssand split through two Thunder defenders at the right corner of the goal area. Goalkeeper Joe Warren was forced to commit to Lyssand, leaving the center of the goal open. Lyssand quickly centered the ball to McNab who scored on an open net from six yards out.
The Thunder claimed the lead for good in the 36th minute as forward Marshall Morehead scored on a put back off a Ferruzzi shot. Midfielder Zafer Kilickan’s cross from the far right sideline connected with Ferruzzi who blasted a shot from 15 yards. Salty Dogs goalkeeper Mike Gabb was able to make a diving save, but the shot deflected to Morehead whose goal gave the Thunder a 2-1 advantage.
Morehead gave the home crowd a scare, as he was involved in a collision on a header with a Syracuse defender in the 37th minute. Morehead lay motionless for two minutes before walking off the field in obvious pain. The Thunder played shorthanded for over five minutes while Morehead received care on the sideline.
Minnesota struck again in the 65th minute on a dead-ball restart from the right side. Thunder defender Adam Eyre headed in Kilickan’s cross to the far post. The free kick was created as Johnny Menyongar’s elusive dribbling forced the Salty Dogs into an inopportune foul just outside the goal box.
An own-goal by Syracuse defender Jason Cole gave the Thunder a 4-1 lead. A dangerous cross by Ferruzzi caused Cole to attempt a clearing kick over the goal’s crossbar.
Syracuse added a late goal in the 88th minute off a dead-ball restart from midfielder Ian Woan just outside the Thunder’s goal area. Thunder goalkeeper Joe Warren was unable to attempt a save on the well-placed shot to the upper left corner.
Morehead surpassed his 2002 goal total of three with his team-tying fourth goal of the season in the 36th minute. He has also notched two assists.
“Things have been going well for our team and I’m glad to be contributing more this season,” Morehead said. “In the off-season I asked Jim Froslid (Thunder president and general manager) for a chance. He promised me just that, and I’m lucky to be taking advantage of it.
GAME NOTES:
Defender Mark Schulte missed the match to attend a family wedding. He will return to the line-up for Tuesday’s match at Indiana.
Thunder midfielder Amos Magee missed his fourth consecutive match recovering from surgery on an abscessed tooth. He is expected to return to action Tuesday.
The evening included a pre-game youth soccer clinic by Thunder players Zafer Kilickan, Don Gramenz and Johnny Torres and a faith experience by Greg Wheaton and Steve Shak.
Fans received a Thunder poster courtesy of HealthPartners.
The Thunder travels to Indiana (0-6-1) Tuesday, June 3 (kickoff 7:35 p.m. CT) for the first of four meetings against the Blast. Minnesota returns home for a match against division rival Milwaukee Saturday, June 7 (kickoff 7 p.m. CT) at Eastview High School. The cost for general admission is $12 for adults and $8 for youth ages 18 and under. Tickets can be purchased online at www.mnthunder.com, or by calling the Thunder office at 763-785-3668.
Match Report
Scoring Summary
MIN: Llamas (Ferruzzi) 15
SYR: McNab (Lyssand) 22
MIN: Morehead (Ferruzzi) 36
MIN: Eyre (Kilickan) 65
MIN: Syracuse own goal 86
SYR: Woan 88
Cautions
SYR: Lyssand 64
MIN: Shak 80
Attendance: 3,478
Referees: Shane Butler, Ken Lamb, Troy Cohrs, Kristine Lamm
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