01/30/2010 10:00 PM -
LA RAZA HALTS RAMPAGE
Rockford's 3-game win streak comes to a close as Monterrey moves into 1st
ROCKFORD, Ill. -- La RaZa de Monterrey ended the Rockford Rampage's three-game winning streak Saturday night and defeated Rockford, 4-2, in Major Indoor Soccer League play at the MetroCentre.
Monterrey (7-5) won its fourth straight to catapult itself to first place in the MISL. The Rampage fell to 6-5. La RaZa's Hector Vallejo had the game-winning goal in the third quarter. Rockford's lone goal came from Jamar Beasley.
The Rampage struck first with a Beasley goal at close range past La RaZa goalkeeper Jose Bontti at the 6:14 mark. Hassan Minter assisted from the right side as Rockford took a 2-0 lead.
In the second quarter, La RaZa capitalized on a penalty kick opportunity when Genoni Martinez tallied a goal past Rockford goalkeeper Ante Cop at the 5:32 mark to tie the score at 2-all. Monterrey was awarded the penalty kick when Rampage defender Ibrahim Kante tripped up Monterrey's Evan McNeley in the box.
Late in the third quarter, with both teams playing with four field players because of penalties, Monterrey found the back of the net with Vallejo's goal at the 10:29 mark to take a 4-2 lead. Cop got caught out of the goal when La RaZa's Carlos Farias attacked from the right side, and Farias' pass made it through Rockford's defense to Vallejo.
In the goal, Cop saved five of seven shots for Rockford, as he dropped his first game in goal after winning back-to-back games as a replacement for injured goalkeeper Danny Waltman, who is out with a knee injury. For Monterrey, Bontti saved nine of 10 shots.
Each team had its power play chances, with Monterrey converting on 1 of 3 (Martinez's PK) and Rockford 0-for-4.
The season series is tied at 1-1 and the all-time head-to-head series is 4-4.
La RaZa de Monterrey 4, Rockford Rampage 2
Monterrey 0 2 2 0 - 4
Rockford 2 0 0 0 - 2
SCORING
First quarter
1. Rockford - Beasley (Minter), 6:14.
Second quarter
2. Monterrey - Martinez (unassisted), penalty kick, 5:32.
Third quarter
3. Monterrey - Vallejo (Farias), 10:29.
Fourth quarter
No scoring
Saves: Ante Cop (Rockford) 5 saves; Jose Bontti (Monterrey) 9 saves.
