Game Recap – Real Phoenix Drops OT Stunner To Toros Mexico
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Phoenix, AZ (Tuesday, January 30th, 2013) - Real Phoenix playing in front of 500 people at their new home, Arizona Sports Complex in north Phoenix, lost a thrilling OT game to Toros Mexico.
With less than two minutes remaining in the 4th quarter, Real Phoenix was trailing by two goals before Ryan Hays scored with 1:30 left on the clock. Real desperate for a equalizer then threw everything they had at Toros Mexico as the clock was ticking down. A final shot by Real took a funky bounce off the wall before veteran Mike Cudmore headed in the ball with .5 seconds left the clock.
In overtime, Toros backup goalie Roman Madrid, substituted in when starting GK Maico Jackson Lopez received a red card, dribbled the ball out of the back and hit a screamer that tailed left hitting the back of the net which resulted in a 8-7 Toros victory.
“Hard fought game by everyone on our club,” said stunned Real Phoenix GK Erik Tate. “Fought back with 2 minutes, what more can you say.”
The first three quarters were a lackluster affair for both teams. However the emotions and physicality that was built up in these quarters started to spill over in the 4th. Toros, down a goal going into the 4th scored two quick to grab the lead. The 3:38 mark was when the emotionally level hit a high. Real’s Kevin McGowan went in for a loose ball in front of the net. Toros GK Lopez also dived for the ball which made resulted in both players getting tangled up. Lopez didn’t like the way McGowan went in and punched him which resulted in a straight red. The refs, surprisingly then gave McGowan a yellow. Lopez left the field with blood coming from his nose, however from any perspective it was a bang-bang play.
When Toros substituted in Madrid as the backup it caused more fits for real as Toros then had 6 players on the field who could dribble and supply pace. Real was able to tie the game a minute after the incident when Matt Marek hit a beautiful volley. That tie was broken when Toros scored two more which then forced Real to come back at the end.
Cudmore summed up the game perfectly after saying, “Can’t believe that.”
In their first season Real has played tough in every game. The franchise and the players have been adapting to indoor and appear to be going into the right direction, but as any new franchise knows sometimes things just don’t go your way.
Next game for Real will be on Friday when the head to Texas to take on Rio Grande Valley. Next HOME game for Real is on Saturday, February 9th when they host Las Vegas.
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