By Lions Correspondent, Bruce “Woody” Woodrow
A blistering muggy day saw the St.Louis Lions down the Indiana Invaders 4-3 in a spirited game that put the Lions back on top in the Heartland division. The win coupled with Kansas City’s 2nd straight loss, this time 4-1 to Souix Falls, puts the Lions ahead by 2 points. The game started out with the majority of play in the midfield with only one scoring chance by the Lions going harmlessly to the Indiana keeper. Jarius (Juice) Holmes put away a beautiful lead pass from Miles Abel in the 34th minute with a burst of speed and a good move past the Invaders defense. The goal seemed to invigorate the visiting team with the next 6 minutes of play in the Lions end culminating in a tap-in goal by the Invaders Issac at the 41st minute.
The home team came back with the same fervor taking control of the ball for the remainder of the half including a pinpoint pass by Martin Clayes to Tommy Heinemann who split the defense and easily beat Justin Holmes, the Indiana goalminder. The goal sent the Lions in at the half leading 2-1. The Lions made two changes at the wide midfield positions and looked to be a difference maker but on some chaotic play in front of the St.Louis net and a fumbled ball by Brenton Saylor, the Lions keeper, Invader midfielder Jonke toed in an easy goal making it 2-2.
The Lions became offensive minded and stifling on defense at the behest of skipper Tony Glavin ordering to pressure the ball for the remainder of the game. The Invaders keeper handled two weak attempts in the next 20 minutes with some tight marking and chippy play by both teams. Jeremiah Essmeier and Peitro Scalzullo entered the fray and payed immediate dividends. Essmeier fought for posession deep in the Indiana 18 and toed a ball to a waiting Juice Holmes for the Lions 3rd tally. St. Louis did not celebrate long as two minutes later Heinemann got a solo with some tenacious defense by the Lions and his perfect header from an errant clearance by Indiana. The Lions tried to cruise out the remainder but the Invaders turned another pinball attempt to clear the ball by the St.Louis defense into an easy goal from the 6 by Burt from a skillful 2 yard chip from Sandy. Indiana tried to hurry to get posession for a complete comeback but the Lions held to the whistle.
Indiana collected 4 yellows and St. Louis 1 with the referee earning his pay trying to keep the players in check. The win puts the Lions back atop the division with 27 points on 9 wins and 5 losses. Second place Kansas City has 25 points (7 wins, 2 losses and 4 ties) with one game in hand. Thunder Bay is lurking with 24 points (7 win 2 loss 3 ties) two games in hand.
The Lions finish their home schedule against Springfield Demize with whom they have split a pair of 3-2 scores, the latest a win by the Demize in St Louis in late May. The final game of the season is in Kansas City that is shaping up to be a possible championship match.
Post a Comment