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Hundal’s Goal Grabs Point for TFC II

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 08/30/17, 9:34PM EDT

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Saint Louis misses out on victory at the death in 1-1 draw


Photo courtesy Martin Bazyl / Toronto FC II

VAUGHAN, Ont. – Shaan Hundal scored deep in stoppage time as Toronto FC II earned a 1-1 draw with Saint Louis FC on Wednesday night at the Ontario Soccer Centre. Saint Louis had the better of the game early, and Sebastian Dalgaard forced a good save from TFC II goalkeeper Angelo Cavalluzzo in the 15th minute. Toronto almost grabbed the lead in the 24th minute off a corner as the ball dropped to Jordan Hamilton, but STLFC’s Ivan Mirkovic blocked the effort on the line. Malik Johnson also went close for the hosts a few minutes later, only to send his curled effort over the crossbar, but Saint Louis took the lead six minutes before halftime as a pass by Austin Ledbetter slid Christian Volesky into the right side of the penalty area, and the forward finished into the top-right corner of the net. Toronto came close to equalizing before the break as Johnson’s long-range shot to the right corner was palmed away by STLFC goalkeeper Devala Gorrick, and again early in the second half as Ryan Telfer had his low shot saved. Volesky almost added a second for STLFC in the 50th minute, sending his finish just past the left post, but Toronto carried most of the play in the second half, and pushed late for an equalizer Hamilton had a low shot from 25 yards toward the left corner saved by Gorrick. Deep in stoppage time, however, Hundal found the net as he finished clinically into the roof of the goal after Hamilton had half-controlled inside the penalty area to set up the chance.

Scoring:
39’ – STL – Christian Volesky (Austin Ledbetter)
90+’ – TOR – Shaan Hundal (Jordan Hamilton)

Three Things That Matter:

  • 1. After Saturday’s disappointing result against the Rochester Rhinos, Saint Louis FC needed to get a win to boost itself into the congested race for the playoffs in the Eastern Conference standings. The team’s late concession after the three points appeared to be wrapped up is another painful blow to those postseason hopes, and will put even more pressure on Sunday’s game against Ottawa Fury FC as the side completes its trip north. Saint Louis did plenty right defensively, with goalkeeper Devala Gorrick making three big saves to keep the hosts off the board, but Shaan Hundal’s late equalizer made it all for naught as the visitors left with just a point.

  • 2. As much as Saint Louis has struggled for consistency in front of goal this season, seeing Christian Volesky notch his first goal in almost three months with a good first-half finish will have been a nice boost of confidence. Volesky’s last goal came in the return fixture against Toronto FC II on June 2, since when the forward has gone 14 games without a goal. With Saint Louis needing a strong push late to make the playoffs, Volesky getting on track would be big.

  • 3. Just as it had on Saturday against the Charlotte Independence, Toronto had chances to play spoiler against Saint Louis, and thanks to Shaan Hundal’s late equalizer the hosts were able to claim a share of the spoils and provide a favor for the other teams clustered around the red line in the Eastern Conference playoff race. TFC II is now 2-0-2 in its last four home games, which should give the sides that still have to visit the Ontario Soccer Centre something to think about over the remainder of the regular season.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Shaan Hundal, Toronto FC II – The late substitute came through to earn his side a point with a fine instinctive finish that dashed Saint Louis’ hopes of leaving with the victory.

Upcoming Games:
Toronto FC II
vs. Rochester Rhinos – September 2, 7:30 p.m. ET, Ontario Soccer Centre
Saint Louis FC at Ottawa Fury FC – September 3, 2 p.m. ET, TD Place

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