Peachtree Ridge Lions Soccer

LIONS BATTLE BUT LOSE TO LAMBERT 2-1

April 24, 2012:  The Lambert Longhorns visited Lion Stadium on Tuesday and came away with a 2-1 victory against the Lions. 

Lambert’s style was different than most the Lions have seen this year, as they were playing long ball after long ball over the top of defense.  Most fell by the way side and did not result in a threat.  Lambert has a weapon up top, however, and occasionally when he did get the ball, he was dangerous.  The Longhorns first goal was a result of the strikers speed, as he picked up a ball and with great skill, beat the Lion’s keeper, Daryl Sack, for a 1-0 lead.

While the Lions had multiple opportunities in the first half, none would put points on the board.  With 15 minutes to go in the first, a hard shot from the right side of the field found its way past Sack and the Lions found themselves down 2-0 at the half.

The second half would find the Lions fighting and clawing to get back in the game.  With 20 minutes to go in the match, senior forward Juan Herrera would corral a loose ball in the box.  His turn around shot, low and to the far post was stopped by the diving Longhorn keeper.  However with outstretched arms, he would give up a door step rebound to the Lion’s Jeremy Rector who was following the shot.  Rector put the ball in the net and the Lion’s were back in the game.  Or were they?  Even though the replay shows Rector to be onsides, the linesman made another of what were extremely questionable calls on the night, calling him offsides and disallowing the goal.  The shot below shows player positioning at the point the ball is kicked.

Lion forward Jeremy Rector appears on-side when the shot is taken

While the crowd was furious, there was nothing the hard working lions could do about the call but go back to work. 

Just a few minutes later, Lion left midfielder Sahil Mahajan played a beautiful ball to Rector who went to goal and beat the Lambert the keeper pulling the Lions back into the game 2-1.  Unfortunately, the goal was all the Lions could muster and they left the field knowing they had tied the number 1 team in the state, but with the score sheet stating differently.

Don’t miss the first round of the 2012 state playoffs when the Lions and Lady Lions both square off against the Brookwood Broncos.  The Lions play Tuesday, May 1, 2012 at Bronco Stadium.  Game time is 8:00 PM.  The Lady Lions play Wednesday, May 2, 2012 at Lion’s stadium.  Game time is 7:00 PM.  Come out and support your Lions!!