| Andre Press Sports Ticker Sudwerk's Losing Streak Runs to Three By Bryant Maxwell AP Soccer Writer DAVIS, Calif., Nov. 7 -- FC Sudwerk extended its losing streak to three games on Tuesday, as it came out on the short end of a hard-fought contest with the club Fearless. The 7-2 loss dropped Sudwerk (0-3-0) squarely into last place of DISC's Fall 2001 Adult Soccer League and raises doubt about whether the club can qualify this season for the Champions League or other postseason international competitions. "We're kind of discouraged," said Ramal Werdna, the president and CEO of FC Sudwerk. "We played a tough, aggressive game, and the final score does not reflect how close this match truly was." In contrast to its first two outings, Sudwerk attacked vigorously in the game's opening minutes and recorded the first goal after strikers Andrew LaMar and Patrick Chandler forced a turnover in Fearless' defensive zone and LaMar fed Chandler a quick pass that he slotted into the goal. Fearless equalized quickly, however, on a bizarre scoring play in which a shot from the far corner ricocheted into the net off several players positioned directly in front of the goal. At halftime, Fearless led 3-2. In the second half, play appeared rather even, but while Fearless took advantage of its scoring opportunities, Sudwerk did not, despite having several chances from within the penalty area that either missed the goal or deflected off the keeper. "Part of it was luck," Werdna said. "They just seemed luckier." In addition, Werdna said, the rough play produced some questionable calls from the referee, who gave Chandler a two-minute penalty for pushing off an opponent. The penalty resulted in a goal for Fearless midway through the second half. Sudwerk may also have been hurt by the absence of two of its star forwards, Joncarlo Mark and Bruce Berry, who could not attend Tuesday night's match. "All in all, our defense and midfield play has improved markedly," Werdna said. "Now we need to work on our goal scoring." Meanwhile, in the showdown between the league's two unbeaten teams, Davis United defeated River Plate 5-2 and took sole possession of first place. United had five different goal-scorers while holding the league's top striker, River Plate's Rolando Hernandez, to one goal. Sudwerk is scheduled to face River Plate at 8:45 p.m. next Tuesday for the fourth game of the eight-game regular season. ## |