BILLY'S PENALTY EARNS US A POINT ON THE ROAD

Steven "The Bear" Barrera puts in a shift to keep Stumptown AC to only one.
 

MATTHEWS, NC – Cal United Strikers FC earned a point on the road against Stumptown AC as Billy's early penalty sees us end the regular season with a draw.

 

A penalty created and converted by Billy Garton Jr. saw us take the lead early, but an early penalty in the second half for Stumptown prevented Cal United Strikers from grabbing all three points.

 

Cal United Strikers knew they had their work cut out for them as Stumptown has one of the best defensive records in the league.

 

Head Coach Don Ebert brought in some experience for the final game of the season with Gonzo Salguero, Chris Klute, Michael Bryant, and Steven Barrera returned to the lineup. Barrera has been backup most of the season to Mitch North, who has had a strong debut campaign.

 

The evening game in North Carolina started brightly for the visitors.

 

Omar, Christian, and Tony had a stellar game against 1904 FC, and the combinations were coming together, once again, in the opening sequence of the match.

 

Tony Lopez, whose goal against 1904 FC secured the points, saw an early effort just go wide after Cal United Strikers won the ball through their high press.

 

The 7th minute saw Duncan Capriotti place his shot straight at the keeper.

 

All of the pressure in the opening sequence finally paid off as a penalty was awared to Cal United Strikers in the 14th minute.

 

Billy Garton Jr. received a short corner pass, and his inventive flick hit the Stumptown defender's hand, and the ref immediately pointed to the spot.

 

Billy dispatched the penalty with ease, and Cal United Strikers almost doubled their lead from the restart. Chris Klute found Christian Thierjung in open space, but his shot was saved by the Stumptown keeper.

 

Thierjung was denied twice more by the Stumptown keeper's heroics over the next 10 minutes.

 

Capriotti then heroically saved a goal for Stumptown in the closing moments of the first half as a Stumptown corner was almost put in the net.

 

 

Lopez battling for the ball (left); Barrera making a save (right).

 

 

The second half didn't start ideally for Cal United Strikers as Garrett Hogbin was judged to have fouled a Stumptown forward in our box.

 

The penalty was put away and another scary moment occurred moments later when Bryant's block from a cross almost ended up in the net, but Barrera's quick thinking kept it out.

 

The 58th minute saw Nuno get a free header in the box, but it was just wide to the right.

 

The game continued, and Cal United Strikers started inviting more pressure into their own half.

 

The 76th minute saw an excellent block from Klute from a shot, and the 78th minute saw a Stumptown forward break through, but his shot was put wide.

 

The 83rd minute saw a mix up in the Stumptown box almost leading to a late goal, but the deflected bounce found the keeper.

 

Substitute Minjae Kwak had the final chance for Cal United Strikers as we looked for a late goal, but his powerful shot was straight at the keeper.

 

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