Portage Daily Graphic- June 29th/04 - United shuts Saints’ door

BY NEATE SAGER

United’s Jake Stecher races past St. James defender Jason Bell during the first half last night at Southport.
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Staff photo by Neate Sager


The Daily Graphic — It’s been a while since the words Southport United and winning streak appeared in the same sentence.
Last night, though, the former cellar dwellers kept up their newfound winning ways, shutting out St. James Saints 3-0 for their third consecutive win. The victory, which included Cory Thiessen’s shutout goaltending and goals from Ray Chabot, Lyle Dueck and Billy Meadows, improved United’s record to 3-5-1 and put them in eighth place in the 12-team fourth division of the Manitoba Major Soccer League. Just two weeks ago, United had nowhere to go but up.
“We started slow and kept building the whole game,” Dueck said. “We played the whole 90 minutes, all positions. We do that, we can win. Our subs played good. I think everyone got in and everyone had a part.”
St. James was on the defensive for much of the contest, particularly the first half. Play was more back-and-forth in the final 45 minutes, but Saints’ player-coach Peter Goodson acknowledged United looked nothing like they did in an earlier meeting.
“We played them in the preseason and tied them, I believe 2-2,” Goodson said. “They’ve definitely improved since then. They have more speed up front and they used that tonight. It was showing in the defence.”
Goodson could have been referring to both of United’s second-half goals. Ray Chabot finished off St. James with a 75th-minute tally after accepting a through ball from Jake Stecher, who also set up United’s first tally.
Earlier in the half, Chabot broke down the left wing, lured goalkeeper Roger Sutton out of his net and passed to Dueck, who scored into the open net.
“I think we moved the ball really well,” Dueck said. “We’re starting to use the whole field -- switches and through passes. We stepped it up in the second half.”
Thiessen’s toughest test came when United led by only two goals. The goalkeeper deflected a free kick over the bar. His teammates cleared the ball after the ensuing corner kick.
“I thought Cory played really well, tonight, really well,” United co-coach Peter Dueck said. “He didn’t face many chances but he was always there when we needed him.”
United goes on the road for the next match. On Sunday, they face Kildonan Fusion at Sturgeon Creek Community Centre.
BLAZE WIN -- Portage Blaze began qualifying for the Manitoba Soccer Association Cup tournament by edging Orange Krush 2-1 in Winnipeg last night.
Jackie Gordon and Shea Fust scored first-half goals for Portage (8-4-2 overall). Orange Krush’s only tally came on an own goal.
“It was a good game tonight,” Blaze head coach Bryan Mintenko said. “Orange Krush is a top team in the fourth division and they gave us a good challenge. I think we had more shots than they did and generally controlled the play. We hit some crossbars and a few posts.”
The MSA Cup is the provincial women’s club championship which traditionally takes place in August.
The Blaze, who are one point out of first place in Division 3 of the Winnipeg Women’s Soccer League, resume action with back-to-back road matches next week. They face Canadians in league play on Monday at John Blumberg Park before facing St. James Storm in their next MSA Cup qualifier the following night.
AEROS SHARP -- In Manitoba Major second division play on Friday, Southport Aeros moved within one win of the .500 mark by routing visiting F.C. Ragazzi 5-0.
“We played really well, more like a team,” midfielder Chad Green said. “We had the same team we’ve had for two or three games before. We’re gelling as a team, I guess you could say .... It was just an all-around game.
Duane Chaves scored three goals for the Aeros (3-4-0). Matt Bernard and Rob Gemmell each tallied for the first time in 2004, while goalkeeper Steve Assenmacher recorded the shutout.
The Aeros have a break until July 9 when they host Kildonan Cavaliers.

© 2004 The Daily Graphic