Edgar Melik-Stepanyan
GLENDALE SPORTS COMPLEX -- The scene of Thursdays men's soccer match
between CD ECU and Fox & Hounds was simple: CD ECU sprinting past its
opponents and harassing its defense.
CD ECU had too much firepower, as it scored seven goals to defeat Fox
& Hounds, 7-0, in a Fox & Hounds Invitational match at the Glendale
Sports Complex.
"They played organized football (soccer) and we got a spanking." Fox &
Hounds Coach Gary Richards said.
From the beginning, Fox & Hounds (1-2-4) played a zone defense in
which CD ECU (5-1) used its speed and agility to take advantage.
The match was over by halftime after CD ECU scored four goals. Gonzalo
Garcia kicked in the first goal in the 20th minute after he rebounded his
own shot. He later added another goal and an assist.
In the first half, CD ECU had 14 shots on goal compared to the Fox &
Hounds, which had none. At times, Fox & Hounds had 10 defensemen, but
were still not able to stop the aggressive CD ECU offense.
Anytime Fox & Hounds tried to rally, CD ECU's midfield was too strong.
It controlled the ball for more than half of the time.
"When we control the midfield, then we play much better," said CD ECU
Coach Gino Bermeo.
CD ECU continued the dominance in the second half, as itscored a goal
in the 62nd minute when Gabriel Mena broke away and scored a one-timer
past the goalie.
More important to CD ECU was how many goals it scored. Coming into the
match, it was three points behind first place Dynamo. With the win, it
gained sole position of first because of the goal differential.
CD ECU has a plus-nine goal advantage over Dynamo.
"We deserve first place because it shows that we are a good team and
we have a lot of talent," said Bermeo.
