Outshooting the Lancaster Rattlers on Sunday at USF Negoesco stadium wasn't enough, as the Rattlers defeated the Seals by a score of 2-1. 

 

The first goal came quickly in the 3rd minute of play as Lancaster forward Maurice Harrie received the ball from the other Rattler forward, Martin Galvin.  Harrie beat the defense on the right side and slotted the ball past Seals keeper Brad Williams for the first goal.  "It was sudden, and frankly I was shocked," said Coach Tom Simpson.  "I really feel our defense is solid, but we seemed a bit soft in the first fifteen minutes or so."

 

The Seals appeared to have command of the game, as they quickly picked off the ball in the first few minutes of the match and played in the attacking third of the field.  Movement looked good as Carlos Diaz (St. Mary's, Moraga) and John Colan appeared to be comfortable with each other, and the Seals looked threatening.

 

But the Rattlers took away the ball and quickly sending the ball to Galvin who gave a through pass to Harrie, and the Seals were suddenly down 0-1. 

 

The Seals played tough however, and played without panic.  Time and again the play from the Seals generated opportunities in the attacking third of the field.  Shooting was pretty accurate, as the Seals put 5 of their 10 shots in the half on frame.  Rattlers Keeper Zach Brunner kept coming up bit though.

 

"I thought we were going to score.  We seemed to play much of the first period in their half of the field, and when they got a break away they came up with nothing, or their shots went off frame" said Simpson.

 

Brunner made five saves out of the 10 shots, and two more of the shots in the first half were saved by Lancaster defenders covering the open slots.

 

It was one of those days that coaches and fans rue.  A real head shaker. 

 

Harrie wasn't quite done.  A quick counter off a Seals attack carried the ball up the left flank and up to Harrie as he drew the Seals defense with a crossing run over to the left side of the field.  Midfielder Ricardo Figueroa moved up from his midfield position as the defense shifted left, and found the back of the net off a perfect pass from Harrie. 

 

Minute  28.  Rattlers two, Seals nothing. 

 

Ten minutes later the Seals found gold, and were back in the game.

 

Carlos Diaz, and John Colan, working together on top consistently moved the ball and threatened.  In combination play with Alex Peterlin (Cal Poly, SLO), play out of the backfield by Danny Warrender (Rossendale United) on the left, and Dave Vedder (St. Mary's Moraga) on the right. the Seals finally found the back of the net in the 38th minute.

 

Diaz, who consistently managed control of the ball well, and sent quality passes to his team mates sent the ball in to Rawlston Massaniai (San Jose State).  Massaniai curled in from the left and slotted the ball into the net to bring the game back within reach.

 

The second half found the Seals with continued opportunities, and seven shots required three saves by the keeper and one by his defense covering his net. 

 

Carlos Diaz had two solid opportunities late in the second half, with one rocking the cross bar early in extra time.  "I still thought we would, at least, bring it even," said Simpson after the game.  "I will have to see the film, but I have to believe that with that many opportunities we should have won this game handily."

 

Some days are just like that.

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