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Seals Season Ends in 3-0 Loss to FrogsJuly 20, 2008
 With the perfect scenario in hand - two games at home and needing one win for a playoff spot, and two wins to earn a division championship, the Seal were unable to come thru with so much as a single goal, in two games while giving up four goals to their opponents.The Frogs came out sharp right from their warm-up routines, which were crisp and focused. When the whistle blew it only took the Frogs five minutes to bag their first goal. Frogs midfielder Dan Oka stole the ball from the Seals, and putting a move on the Seals defense he broke in behind on the Seals defensive left and made a terrific shot into the far side of the net past Seals keeper Eric Conner. This has been a recurring theme for the Seals. Despite a defense that has been in the top ten all season with fewest goals allowed, most of those have been scored in under the first 20 minutes of play. The Seals seemed a bit stunned, but as usual they picked up the tempo, and the defense got tough. I the 13th minute Seals left back Josh Leon came in hard with a defense play that caused him to receive a yellow card and a trip to the hospital. It appear Leon suffered a broken nose, and left at half-time to go to the hospital. In the 22nd minute the Frogs struck again. This time it was midfielder Ricardo Dorrego who received a cross from the Seals defensive right side. The ball was slotted perfectly in through the defense by midfielder David Frank, and Dorrego hammered it past a diving Conner. A frustrated Rich Halvorsen came in hard on Nelson Diaz on a play that seemed as though it was deserving of a red card. Halvorsen received only a yellow. "I wasn't happy with that play," said head coach Tom Simpson. "While I like a good challenge, and Rich was just trying to make a strong play, I felt at the time that a red card would have really ended our chances."  Little did Simpson know it was already too late. Diaz got his revenge 22 minutes later, as he took a ball in from Oka and challenging Conner straight on the net, he placed the ball hard and on the ground past Conner under his right arm as he went to the ground. The Seals struck the Frogs hard throughout the first half of play, but only placing two of seven shots on frame. Keeper Stefan Frei didn't have to make too many saves, but he made them good. In the second have the Seals had only three shots, but one of them seemed golden. Efrain Burgos (Junior) took a free kick from the Frogs right side about 10 yards outside the top corner of the box. Junior got a great bend on the ball, and as it cleared Frei's outstretched fingers fans began to stand as the ball seemed destined to find the back of the net. It found the crossbar instead. It simply wasn't to be on this night. A hurt Kellan Wilson came in to replace hard working Anthony Grillo. Wilson gave everything he had through the end of the game. Peter Lovell, had a number of chances (4 shots) but was clearly a target of the Frogs, just as he had been with the Brigade, as he suffered fouls all night long. It was hard to get off quality shots.  The Frogs played good ball, and seemed to have better movement and combination play. Never-the-less, Frogs owner Hartmut Esslinger said the "Seals were the best looking team against us this year. Very strong." Unfortunately for the Seals, they needed a win tonight as the San Fernando Valley Quakes defeated the Fresno Fuego 2-1 tonight. That officially ends the 2008 season for the Seals. With many highs over the past 12 weeks, and this weekend a season low, the Seals can only say . . . Next year . . . The Seals management, players, and volunteer staff want to thank you all for your support this season! See you next year! |
