Wolves v W Mass NE Division [Result}

[panicfc]

New Britain, CT ˆ The Western Mass Pioneers beat the Wolves 2-0 before a crowd of 1,588 at Veterans Stadium with a goal from Rob Jachym in the 30th minute and Paul Kelly from a penalty kick in the 90th minute.

The first half saw the Pioneers with the greater scoring chances, but the Wolves had the possession. In the 29th minute the Pioneers were awarded a free kick from 30 yards and the ensuing free kick was deflected out for a corner kick. James Proctor, the leagues top assist-man, put in the corner and Jachym beat his mark for the header past Wolves keeper Anthony Latronica to give Western Mass the 1-0 lead.

Just moments later Jachym had another chance to score from point blank range, but Latronica was able to block the shot with a kick-save.__

In the second half the Wolves came out stronger, but in the 49th minute Wolves‚ Mick McDermott was sent off for his second caution for a tough challenge on Western Mass‚ Ryan Levesque.__Despite playing a man down for the remainder of the match, the Wolves continued to attack and have the run of play.

Sullivan Phillips was able to get behind the defense several time to put in crosses, but only one was able to find a Wolves‚ attacker, as O‚Neil Peart attempted header was right at Pioneers Danny Pires.

Minutes later Wolves Dean Sewell whipped in a cross to Shane Watkins, only for his shot to right at Pires again. Sewell also had a header off the post, and late in the match Tony Cartiera attempted volley was off the mark as well.

In added time Latronica and Manganello were chasing a ball running out of bounds and the two appeared to trip into each other, the official ruled a penalty kick for Western Mass . Pioneers‚ captain Paul Kelly finished off the match with a perfect penalty to give Western Mass the 2-0 win.

The Wolves will travel to Ludlow, MA on Saturday night at 7:30 PM in the second game of the series. In order for the Wolves to advance they need win with more than three goals. Should they win with two-goal advantage, the series will be decided by total goals. Should it remain tied ˆ penalty kicks will be in order.

Scoring summary:
Wmass 30th Jachym (Proctor)
Wmass 90th Kelly (PK)

Western Mass: Pires, Kelly, Dias, Samol, Miller (Wilkinson 89), Proctor, Stimpson, Houser (Wright 79), Levesque, Manganello, Jachym (Perez 86)

Wolves: Latronica, McDermott, Danbusky, Mohammed, Dorsey (Kennedy 67), Phillips, Ravanello, Sewell, Asencio (Cartiera 78), Peart, Sousa (Watkins 57)

Cautions:
Wolves__- Mohammed, 20th minute
W-Mass ˆ Zamol, 38th minute
Wolves ˆ McDermott 45th minute
Wolves ˆ McDermott 49th minute (Ejected)
Wolves ˆ Ravanello 65th minute
Wolves ˆ Danbusky 90th minute

Statistics:
W Mass Wolves
Shots 10 18
Fouls 18 17
Corners 3 __4
Offside 11 __3
Saves 4 __8

[SueB]

panic, is it aggregate goals or total points that determines the final result? I've read each in two different sources:

Here, on your site, says aggregate goals:
http://www.ct-wolves.com/news/press.php?story=38

Here, on the Springfield Union-News, it says total points comes first:
http://www.masslive.com/pioneers/unionnews/index.ssf?/sports/pstories/sp88pio.html

Who is right?
Makes a big difference if the Wolves were to win, say, 3-2, in the second game. If it's points, the Wolves would win the series because of the 3-goal bogus point. If it's goals, the Pioneers would win 4-3 on aggregate.

[panicfc]

Northern Conference Playoffs
Format: Top 2 teams qualify for the conference playoffs with a two game aggregate score format; 1 vs. 2 play a total of two (2) games, one at each team’s host site; Winner determined on aggregate points. If teams are tied on aggregate points then the following tie-breakers will be utilized to determine a winner:
1. Aggregate goals
2. Away goals
3. FIFA Penalty Kicks

Games to be played Wednesday, August 7th and Saturday, August 10th with the higher seeded team having the right to choose the hosting order. As the higher seeded team the Western Mass Pioneers have indicated they will host the August 10th match at Lusitano Stadium in Ludlow, MA at 7:30 pm (ET)

Overtime Periods: Two 15-minute sudden death overtime periods will be utilized if the games are tied after 90-minutes of regulation play. Since this is a two game aggregate series, the games may end in a tie. should both sudden death overtime periods

[fanmaster]

So in other words, the USL rule is kind of ambiguous, though it does HINT at score, not points. I've read so much conflicting information from the USL though . . .

[panicfc]

USL Points are first - WMass has 4 points. We win on Saturday and get three goals - bang we get 5 points and win the series.

If we win 2-0 - it's tied at 4 points - Penalty kicks

If they score more goals - in the series, they win. Example: We win 2-1, they have 3 goals, they win.

So, we need to get three goals to make it easy to understand.

Hope this helps.

[fanmaster]

Originally posted by panicfc
USL Points are first - WMass has 4 points. We win on Saturday and get three goals - bang we get 5 points and win the series.

If we win 2-0 - it's tied at 4 points - Penalty kicks

If they score more goals - in the series, they win. Example: We win 2-1, they have 3 goals, they win.

So, we need to get three goals to make it easy to understand.

Hope this helps.

You are right, 3 goals and you win regardless of which set of rules are going to be in use.

[deedougie]

Been traveling in Asia (World Cup baby) but got a chance to check out the game last night. Wolves got robbed on a clear penalty in the box which should have set up the tying goal. The second goal for W. Mass was just a disaster. Here's hoping they can pull it off on Sat.

One more article: For Wolves, Pressure Is On (http://www.ctnow.com/sports/hc-wolves0808.artaug08.story?coll=hc%2Dheadlines%2Dsports) - Hartford Courant

[SueB]

Originally posted by fanmaster


You are right, 3 goals and you win regardless of which set of rules are going to be in use.

Not sure what you mean by which set of rules. If it were a total goal setup (which it is NOT, as made clear by panicfc but not in the article referenced on the Wolves' site above) - then a 3-2 win would not be enough. But it's a total points setup, so 3-2 WOULD win it for the Wolves.

[panicfc]

Originally posted by deedougie
Been traveling in Asia (World Cup baby) but got a chance to check out the game last night. Wolves got robbed on a clear penalty in the box which should have set up the tying goal. The second goal for W. Mass was just a disaster. Here's hoping they can pull it off on Sat.

One more article: For Wolves, Pressure Is On (http://www.ctnow.com/sports/hc-wolves0808.artaug08.story?coll=hc%2Dheadlines%2Dsports) - Hartford Courant

Now on the Wolves' site.

[fanmaster]

Originally posted by SueB


Not sure what you mean by which set of rules. If it were a total goal setup (which it is NOT, as made clear by panicfc but not in the article referenced on the Wolves' site above) - then a 3-2 win would not be enough. But it's a total points setup, so 3-2 WOULD win it for the Wolves.

You are right, I stand corrected. My fingers are always getting me into trouble.