Cleveland City Stars News Release - www.clevelandcitystars.com Saturday, May 19, 2007 CLEVELAND CITY STARS GAME REPORT CLEVELAND CITY STARS @ NEW HAMPSHIRE PHANTOMS 3 : 2 DATE: Saturday, May 19th KICKOFF: 7:00 PM STADIUM: Krenzler Stadium, Cleveland OH WEATHER: Rainy/Cloudy ATTENDANCE: 1,872 1:0 15th Minute Adam Moffat / Cleveland City Stars (Assist Mark Schulte) 2:0 23rd Minute Nigel Codrington / Cleveland City Stars (Assist Adam Moffat) 2:1 54th Minute Tiago Lopes / New Hampshire Phantoms (unassisted) 2:2 83rd Minute Narciso Fernandez / New Hampshire Phantoms (Assist Flavio Casal) 3:2 90th Minute Adam Moffat / Cleveland City Stars (Assist Derek Potteiger) CLEVELAND, OH -- In an unbelievable finish, the Cleveland City Stars remain undefeated and provided an amazing show for the 1,872 fans in attendance at the expansion team’s home opener at Krenzler field in downtown Cleveland. After going into halftime leading by two goals, the Stars and their fans seemed confident that they would end the night with another 3 points and an untarnished record. The New Hampshire Phantoms had other plans though and remained patient, making several adjustments and beginning to find their own rhythm. In the 55th minute Tiago Lopes of the Phantoms was left unmarked coming up the right side and let go a shot just outside the box which found the only place it could just over the outstretched hands of Caleb Patterson and into the upper netting. The Stars kept their heads and continued to play their own game with excellent ball movement and multiple player combinations which created several good opportunities. Mark Schulte blasted a free kick in the 60th minute which the goalie was able to manage with difficulty. Chris Lemons, just off the bench, sent a perfect through ball to John DeVae who took a shot which was saved. In the 71st minute the Stars threatened again with a run by Andrew Peterson who crossed to Nigel Codrington. The finish was inches wide of the net. The Phantoms challenged Patterson several more times, allowing him to show his full range of abilities including a phenomenal one handed save knocking the ball just over the bar to maintain the lead in the 82nd minute of play. The Phantoms kept pressing however and earned the tying goal when Caleb Patterson was drawn off his line and Narcisco Fernandez chipped the ball over his head. Before the Stars returned to formation for the kick off following the score, Captain Mark Schulte pulled his team into a huddle and made his message clear. Two minutes later Nigel Codrington blasted an unbelievable shot from the left corner to the far post which arched just past the upper corner of the post. The Stars had several more opportunities, mostly on free kicks, but couldn’t find the net. The best chance was when Adam Moffat found himself one on one with the keeper but was one step short of the game winner. In what has to be the most exciting finish of the Stars young season, with the stands rocking, screaming, jumping, willing their team to victory, Adam Moffat found the ball at his feet again after a melee in the box and this time he left nothing on the table. One quick move to his left gave him the clearance he needed and he finessed the ball into the back of the net to the strains of “We Will We Will Rock You” and the cheers of an elated crowd. Adam Moffat also scored the first Stars goal in the 14th minute off a free kick from Luke Williams. The second first half goal for the City Stars came in the 23rd minute on a run from John DeVae who sent the ball into the middle for Adam Moffat. With his back to the goal he set up the shot perfectly for Nigel Codrington who finished flawlessly. Martin Rennie, Stars Head Coach, had commented before the game that the team was “finally beginning to play like a team with everyone understanding their specific jobs and working together rather than worrying about individual performances.” It certainly showed tonight. The Cleveland City Stars, or “City” as the fans call them, preferably said with a British accent, maintained possession for a majority of the first half and were aggressive in the offensive half of the field for the full 45 minutes. The second half started much the same way with City controlling the pace and even pushing their backs all the way up to the half line a few times. The excitement of the second half far exceeded the price of admission, though. “We couldn’t have asked for a better game to introduce the City of Cleveland to their new team. Everyone won tonight, the fans, the players and the community. It was a great night by all counts,” said Mark Geissbauer, General Manager. The City Stars will be at home again next week, Saturday May 26th at Krenzler Stadium against the Wilmington Hammerheads. The Cleveland City Stars Reserve Team will play the Dynamo FC from Indianapolis in a pre-game match up beginning at 4:00pm. The main Event starts at 7:00p,m. There is no extra charge for the reserves game. For further information and to get standings and other news check out the website at www.clevelandcitystars.com