| Andre Press Sports Ticker Forfeit Adds to Sudwerk's Rise By Bryant Maxwell AP Soccer Writer DAVIS, Calif., Nov. 28 -- FC Sudwerk picked up another three points on Tuesday, when opponent Fearlessforfeited because it could not field enough players for a scheduled league matchup. The result, tallied as a 1-0 victory for Sudwerk, improves the club's record to 2-3-1 and puts the red-and-black within striking distance of second place. In other league action Tuesday, Davis United rallied from a one-goal deficit to beat River Plate 4-3, with Matt Amaral scoring the game winner with just 8 seconds left in regulation. United, 5-1-0, remains in first place and River Plate, 3-2-1, in second. Sudwerk is scheduled to face River Plate at 8:45 p.m. next Tuesday, and a victory would move Sudwerk into a tie for second place. "There's no question that next week's match is a big one," said Ramal Werdna, the president and CEO of FC Sudwerk. "We'd love to move up in the standings, of course. More importantly, though, this is our last regular season game with a team we're likely to encounter in the first round of the playoffs." In a practice game against players from Fearless and River Plate on Tuesday night, Sudwerk lost 4-1. Sudwerk's midfield and offensive passing sparkled, but once again the red-and-black had trouble scoring despite having many excellent opportunities. In addition, Sudwerk's defense and goaltending appeared somewhat ragged compared to their last two outings, when they shut down the league's two best offenses in consecutive weeks. "There's clearly a mental letdown when come expecting to play a league game but end up instead in a practice," Werdna said. "Still, the lesson here is you can never take defense for granted. You have to stay well organized and work hard continually if you want to be effective." "On the bright side," Werdna added, "we're passing and stretching the field better than we ever have. Our team is showing greater patience and understanding of one another. In particular, Bruce Berry, Andreas Agocs and Armando Murrieta are playing off each other very well." ## |