Sidekicks Lose To Las Vegas
Allen, TX – It was another close game for the Dallas Sidekicks (0-2) Friday night at Allen Event Center, but the team was unable to pull out a win, the Las Vegas Legends (3-1) scoring a late sixth attacker goal to send the match into overtime, where they netted it at 1:41 in to win the match 5-4.
The first half was a rare low-scoring affair, each team netting one. Scoreless through the first 10 minutes, Sidekicks defender Mike Jones made his own luck, intercepting a long pass from Legends goalkeeper Hector Casillas and then putting it past him face on. From there it was a battle of possession, neither team successful on the attack until Las Vegas forward Alex Caceres used the boards to his advantage, tying the game 1-1 at 4:58 in the second quarter. The Sidekicks were unable to capitalize on a late blue card penalty shot, and the ensuing power play would carry over into the second half.
In his season debut, it was forward Arthur Ivo would score to give Dallas their first powerplay goal of the season at 2:48 in the third. The sides went on to trade goals throughout the rest of the quarter, Sidekicks midfielder RJ Luevano notching his first of the season, Vegas’ Caceras scoring his second of the game, Jones connecting with fellow defender Cody Ellis, and finally
the Legends’ Felipe Gonzales netting one to bring the score to 4-3 Dallas going into the final 15 minutes of play.
The Sidekicks held strong throughout the fourth quarter, fighting off Las Vegas and looking promising to get their first win of the season. The Legends had other ideas, however, pulling their goalkeeper in favor of a sixth attacker. The team’s risk paid off, midfielder Cesar Cerda tying the match 4-4 at 11:54 and sending the game into overtime. Momentum swinging their way, Vegas’ Hiram Ruiz netted the game winning goal 1:41 into the extra time to win it for the Las Vegas Legends and bringing the Sidekicks to 0-2 to begin their season.
Next weekend the Sidekicks hit the road for their first meeting with the Syracuse Silver Knights at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 28. Two matches in Tacoma follow, the Sidekicks taking on the Stars Friday, Dec. 4 at 9:35 p.m. and Sunday, Dec, 6 at 5:05 p.m. All matches will be available to stream at www.golivesportscast.com. The Sidekicks are then back at Allen Event Center for a four game homestand, firstly taking on the long-rivaled San Diego Sockers at 7:05 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12.
