Storm Shut Out Wolves In First Round Of UPSL Admiral Cup
The Santa Clarita Storm advanced to the second round of the UPSL Admiral Cup on a scoring display for the home crowd with a 5-0 win over the LA Wolves FC Reserves on Sunday at Central Park Field.
The home side emerged clear winners after wearing down the Wolves in the second half with four goals. The Storm’s defense had the biggest impact of the game only allowing the Wolves two shots on goal all night as the Storm had 18 chances to score.
The lone goal of the first half was scored by the Storm’s Alex Barahona in the 40th-minute on a pass from Zach Klindworth. The Storm’s “Man of the Match” Klindworth set the pace for the home side setting the rout in motion with a loose ball goal in the 63rd-minute before being subbed out with eight shots taken and an outstanding five of them testing the Wolves keeper.
Defender Daniel Neuman made the score 3-nil in the 70th-minute when the Storm pressed the action as they felt the Wolves begin to slow down making mental mistakes. The Storm continued to attack the Wolves back line as Cedrigue Nguimzon scored in the 83rd-minute with a marvelous header that touched the back of the net.
Mike Rivas added the final goal for the Storms as keeper Kyle Cunningham made it a perfect night for the home side as he kept a clean sheet shutting out the beleaguered Wolves ending their Cup dreams.
The victory was the second leg of a home and home with the Wolves Reserves as the Storm advance on a 7-2 aggregate total having beaten the Wolves on their home turf 2-1. The Storm will prepare for the second round as they wait to find out who they will face next in Cup play.
“I think we played good today,” said Coach Martin Rubio. “We controlled possession well today and played on their side of the field majority of the game.”
Coach Oscar Moreno added ” The team performed well today with a few mistakes. They will need to work on that for the next game. Less mistakes in the defense and also more work in the midfield to keep company with the strikers when we attack as a pack.”
Article & Photo: Malik Basurto, Santa Clarita Storm
