Dallas Sidekicks lose second straight MASL match 9-8
Allen, TX (Nov. 6, 2016)— The Dallas Sidekicks (2-2) lose a nail-biter to the Atletico Baja 9-8. The Sidekicks end their road trip out west with back-to-back losses to San Diego Sockers and Atletico Baja. Dallas’ next game will be at home on Saturday, November 12th as they look to get revenge on San Diego and spilt the season series 1-1.
Early on in the first quarter of play we saw Juan Gamboa come up big with early saves keeping the game scoreless. Gabe Arrendondo opened up the scoring giving the Sidekicks an early 1-0 lead. Tonight was the first time Dallas had scored first in the season. Dallas’ record in 2015-16 was 5-2 when they lead after the first quarter. Dallas’ record in 2015-16 when they scored first in a game was 3-1.
Oscar Espinoza found the back of the net early in the second quarter to tie the game up at 1-1. Daniel Villela scored minutes later to take the lead 2-1. Cameron Brown found the back of the net to cut into Atletico Baja lead and tie up the game at 2-2. Within minutes Clint Ritter found the back of the net to give the Sidekicks a 3-2 lead. That goal was Clint Ritter’s’ second goal of the year and second in back-to-back nights. Dallas is 2-0 this year when they lead at halftime.
Martin Lara found the back of the net early in the 3rd quarter to tie the game up at 3-3. Atletico Baja continued to put early pressure on the Sidekicks defense. Juan Carlos Casto found the back of the net in the middle of the 3rd quarter to help take the lead 4-3. Cristian Gutierrez found the back of the net to keep the pressure on the Sidekicks and helped extend their lead to 5-3.
Dallas’ TJ Nelson found the back of the net to end Bajas goal run and cut into Baja’s lead 4-5. Jose Rodriquez found the back of the net in the middle of the 4th quarter to extend Bajas lead 6-4. VcMor Eligwe and Richardinho scored back to back goals under 30 seconds of each other to tie the game up at 6-6 with under 9 minutes remaining in the game. Later, Roman Ramirez found the back of the net to give Baja a 7-6 lead with under 6 minutes remaining in the game. Christian Saray found the back of the net to extend Bajas lead to 8-6. Seconds later Cody Ellis came down the field and found the back of the net to cut into the lead 8-7. Minutes later VcMor Eligwe scored his second goal of the night to tie the game up at 8-8. Christian Saray found the back of the net with three minutes remaining to give Baja the lead for good at 9-8. Dallas kept on fighting till the very end but come up 1 goal short. Tonight ends the Sidekicks 3 day, 3 games, and 2-country road trip out west.