Aeros hold tight for victoryCavaliers’ rally fails - PDG

BY RYAN DIXON
Thursday August 11, 2005

SOUTHPORT — What’s a win without a little sweat?Southport Aeros may have gained a few gray hairs in the process, but the club was able to stave off Kildonan Cavaliers for a 3-2 victory in Manitoba Major Soccer League Second Division action last night at Southport Recreation Cen-tre.The Aeros (5-6-4) blasted out to a 3-0 lead by halftime, but Kildonan (6-5-3) got on the board early in the second frame when Gio Blazevic notched his eighth of the season to narrow the gap.Sterling Johnson then pulled the Cavaliers to within one with his brilliant header off a corner kick, making things a little tight under the collar for the home side.However, Southport keeper Bill Maluzynsky held tough in goal while his defenders did their best to rid the 18-yard box of any juicy rebounds, as the Aeros scratched out a victory.Southport fullback Cam Scott said the manner in which his club earned the win is becoming very familiar.“It seems like the last four or five games we’ve played pretty hairy in the last 15 minutes of the game,” he chuckled.“But we held our own back there, so I’m happy with the result, that’s for sure.”It was certainly clear sailing for Southport in the first half, as striker Duane Chaves continued his torrid scoring pace, notching his fifth goal in as many games this season.“I think we were playing real good in the first half, passing and communicating well,” said Chaves, who scored his goal after taking a pass from Jake Stecher at the top of the 18-yard box before rolling the ball into the right side of the net.Before Southport could pad its lead, Aeros defender Gary Bergen was nailed for hauling down the Cavaliers’ Kris Huth inside the penalty area, resulting in a penalty shot.Had Huth found the range, the game may well have ended in a draw, but instead, he rang the ball off the post behind Maluzynsky.Southport went right back to work, as Lyle Dueck made good on his second crack at a rebound to bag his third goal of the year to make it 2-0.Stecher would contribute the final Aeros marker, drilling a shot from close into the back of the net for his second of the campaign.Kildonan player-coach Jeff Hiebert said the Cavaliers’ slow start was by no means out of character for the club.“We’ve been having that problem all season,” he stated, noting Kildonan dug a 2-0 hole for itself the first time it played Southport this season, but battled back for a 2-2 draw.According to Hiebert, its always a spirited game when his team collides with the Aeros, though Southport has not been a friendly place for the Winnipeg squad to visit of late.“Southport has always given us a tough game. It’s been a couple years since we’ve won out here,” Hiebert said, noting with a grin Kildonan is still ahead of the Aeros in the standings, as the Cavaliers sit in fourth place with 21 points while Southport is tied for sixth with F.C. Ragazzi at 19 points.“We like coming out (to Southport), but at the same time, we dread the drive because we usually leave here with a loss.”Southport played without the services of player-coach Danny Brooks, as well as midfielder Chris Carson, as both players had other commitments.Scott credited Southport United captain Glenn McCulloch, whom the Aeros called up from his usual Fourth Division side for the match, with playing a strong game, along with forward Michael Chaves, who played alongside his brother, Duane, in the second half.The Aeros are home to F.C. Lusitania on Sunday, with the kick off set for 7 p.m. in Southport.In related team news, the Aeros have bid farewell to Evan Sudul, who has completed his flight training at Southport this summer.Sudul tallied two goals in seven games for the club.