USSF D-II: Austin 1st to 10 wins, Miami grabs late draw

Posted Jul 18, 2010 by Nick Murray

Updated Jul 18, 2010 at 11:59 AM

Austin becomes the first team with 10 wins, while Miami grabs a late equalizer against Puerto Rico in Saturday’s USSF Division II action.

CAROLINA 1, ROCHESTER 0: The RailHawks bounced back from a midweek defeat to leave the Rhinos winless and without a goal in their last three games ahead of their trip to Tampa on Thursday as Sallieu Bundu scored the only goal of the game.

Bundu drove home a first-time finish off Josh Gardner’s cross in the 13th minute, and the RailHawks then leant on goalkeeper Eric Reed as he made seven saves for his third shutout in the last four games.

Rochester weren’t without their chances as they outshot Carolina 15-8, James Franks having their best opportunity in the second half with a drive from just outside the penalty area, but Reed managed to tip the ball over the crossbar.

AUSTIN 2, ST. LOUIS 0: The Saints put up a strong effort, but a goal in either half was enough for the Aztex to move eight points clear at the top of the USL Conference as goals by Jamie Watson from the penalty spot and Maxwell Griffin gave their side victory.

Austin had earned a penalty in the 15th minute when St. Louis goalkeeper Alex Dufty brought down Lance Watson in the penalty area, but Dufty saves Eddie Johnson’s effort to keep the game scoreless. Dufty wasn’t able to perform the same heroics in the 34th minute as Jamie Watson fired home after the Saints were reduced to 10 men when Jeff Cosgriff handled on the goal line to prevent Jay Needham’s header from going in.

Austin had many more chances to add to their lead, but the second goal didn’t come until the 68th minute when Griffin latched onto a pass from Johnson for a first-time finish.

MIAMI 1, PUERTO RICO 1: Paulo Araujo Jr. stole a point for the Blues in stoppage time as he capitalized on the rebound of a shot by Brian Shriver to score his seventh goal of the season.

Puerto Rico had appeared on course to earn all three points when Nicholas Addlery fired home from the right side of the penalty area to give the Islanders the lead after a strong first-half performance. Miami had the better of the second half, though, holding the Islanders without a shot after the break, but until the final minute were unable to find a way past Cody Laurendi, making his second straight start.

Miami remains winless in its last six contests and now heads on a four-game road-trip. Puerto Rico sits one point outside the playoffs ahead of a trip to Minnesota on Wednesday.

TODAY’S GAME

BALTIMORE (4-8-4) AT MONTREAL (5-6-5): With a victory against Carolina snapping a long winless streak in midweek, the Impact will try to solidify their playoff position with a victory against a Crystal Palace Baltimore side looking to get back in the win column after a draw against Rochester on Wednesday.

The Eagles will be without leading scorer Randi Patterson, who received a red card against the Rhinos. Baltimore has fared better away from home so far this season, though, earning three of their four wins on the road. A victory would put them just one point behind the Impact and back into the playoff picture, something the Impact’s players and coaches are aware of.

“We know what is at stake. If Baltimore wins, they are only one point behind us,” Montreal coach Marc Dos Santos told the team’s website. “They are a team that plays well on the road and takes advantage of their counter attacks.”