USL Game Report

Saturday, April 25, 2015

AUSTIN, Texas - Kris Tyrpak scored the lone goal as the Austin Aztex improved to 3-3-0 with a 1-0 victory against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (2-3-0) on Saturday night at House Park.

The Aztex took an early lead in the ninth minute with a goal by Tyrpak, his third of the season, which was assisted by Sainey Touray. The Switchbacks gained much more possession in the second half than they had in the first, but ultimately, they were unable to find an equalizer.

The Aztex found the early advantage when Touray curled around the left side and ripped a cross toward goal. Tyrpak make a head-first dive to redirect the ball past the outstretched hands of Switchbacks goalkeeper Devala Gorrick.

The Aztex maintained the majority of possession for the first 30 minutes, and created several chances, one of which resulted in the ninth-minute goal by Tyrpak. Austin had several other near chances throughout the half, including a 19th-minute effort created by Max Gunderson, which found Tyrpak inside the box, but he failed to connect with Touray for the finish.

Austin’s efforts remained consistent throughout the half, with their final chance prior to half time coming in the 45th minute as Gunderson sent a cross to Touray, whose shot landed just wide of the goal.

The Switchbacks gained some momentum in the final 15 minutes of the first half, although they failed to find an equalizer. In the 21st minute, Shintaro Harada took a free kick from the edge of the box, and sent his effort over the Aztex defensive wall, only for it to go just wide of the goal.

Although the Switchbacks were unable to find an equalizer, they began the second half on the front foot, which allowed them to consistently create chances throughout the final 45 minutes. The first of these came almost immediately as Saeed Robinson’s shot on goal was barely deflected less than a minute in, and was quickly followed by an attempt by Luke Vercollone in the same minute that was saved by Austin’s Cody Laurendi.

In the 79th minute, Carlos Contreras went one-on-one with Austin’s Laurendi, but an excellent low save saw Colorado Springs denied again. The Switchbacks' final significant chance of the night came in the 85th minute as Vercollone crossed a shot from outside the penalty area, but ultimately sent his shot over the crossbar.

Although Austin’s possession was significantly decreased in the second half, they were able to create a few chances. The first of these was an 80th minute corner kick by Andres Cuero, but the Aztex inside the penalty area were unable to combine for a goal scoring opportunity. Trevin Caesar also went close to an insurance goal in stoppage time, but the shot was ultimately saved by Gorrick.