IMPACT LOSES 1-0 IN CHARLESTON... ON A PK

[François]

IMPACT LOSES 1-0 IN CHARLESTON... ON A PK


CHARLESTON, S.C., April 26, 2003 — The Montreal Impact kicked off its season with a 1-0 loss to the Charleston Battery, Saturday, at Blackbaud Stadium. Paul Conway scored the game’s only goal on a penalty kick at the 42nd minute of play. The Montreal squad had to defend with one man short for the last 20 minutes against the top team in the Eastern Conference last season.

"I’m pleased that we played to their level," said Impact head coach Bob Lilley. "It should have been a 0-0 game. It was a winnable game regardless of the calls that were made. It’s a tough game to lose, but I’m happy with the level of our effort. Still we, can play better."

The penalty kick was awarded following a jam in front of the net. Conway was brought down in the penalty area by Patrick Leduc. Conway, the Battery’s leading scorer last season with 13 goals and six assists, beat Impact goalkeeper Greg Sutton with a high shot to his left.

"I thought I made a good tackle," said Leduc (photo). "I didn’t touch him, I took the ball between my legs and he hit me while making a move to take a shot."

The Impact still dominated the first half in terms of presence in the opposite end of the field. At the 9th minute of play, Eduardo Sebrango headed a cross from Mark Rowland towards the net, but barely missed to the left. At the 30th, Leduc, well placed at the top of the penalty area, took a hard shot towards ‘keeper Dusty Huddock, but he hit teammate Mauro Biello in the back.

"We didn’t create enough scoring chances throughout the game, but you have to give credit to Charleston, their defence is very though to break down," added Lilley. "Still, we should have been quicker to play the ball forward."

"We have to stop being so shy in the offensive third of the field," said defender Gabriel Gervais. "But it’s still good to see that we’re capable of playing head to head with a team of this calibre at this early stage of the season."

Tempers flared at the end of the first half when Zé Roberto and Battery defender Mark Watson almost came to blows. In the second half, the Impact was down to 10 men after Jason DiTullio was ejected at the 71st minute, following a collision with British defender Terry Phelan.

The Impact, which has a lifetime record of 2-4 against the Battery, therefore bowed 1-0 for the third year in a row in Charleston — each time in a season opener. The team’s last victory against Charleston dates back to May 25, 1997, 2-0 at Claude Robillard Stadium. Montreal has a 5-5 overall record in season openers since 1993, although nine of the games were played on the road.

The Impact’s next game will be on Saturday, May 10 in Toronto, against the Lynx. The home opener at Claude Robillard Stadium will be on Sunday, May 18, against the Richmond Kickers. Before that, however, the Montreal squad will play an exhibition match against the Quebec Elite Soccer League all-stars on Sunday, May 4 at 5 pm at Catalogna Soccerplexe in Lachine.

[The pigfarmer]

You'll get them next time! Charleston enculès!