| Andre Press Sports Ticker Draw Keeps Sudwerk's Unbeaten Streak Alive By Bryant Maxwell AP Soccer Writer DAVIS, Calif., Dec. 5 -- FC Sudwerk extended its unbeaten streak to four games on Tuesday night by drawing 2-2 with River Plate. Sudwerk, which improved to 2-3-2, has one more game remaining in the fall regular season before entering the playoffs on Dec. 18. "It would have been nice to win this one, and we certainly felt we could have and should have," said Ramal Werdna, FC Sudwerk's president and CEO. "Even so, the team can be proud of the way it played." Sudwerk dominated the first half, allowing few shots for River Plate's speedy strikers, while at the same time producing many scoring opportunities of its own. Forward Bruce Berry dazzled the River Plate defense with his streaking runs up the wings and precision passing. Berry set up both of Sudwerk's goals. Sudwerk led 1-0 at halftime, thanks to a goal from Andrew LaMar, who took a pass from Berry and slipped the ball past the onrushing River Plate goalie just before he grabbed it. In the second half, River Plate scored twice to take the lead with goals from Julio Alverado and Rene Gonzalez. But the red-and-black rallied back, and Andreas Agocs got the equalizer on a beautifully executed arching lob shot from the top of the penalty area that caught the aggressive River Plate goalie out of position. In another milestone for the club, the match marked the first time Sudwerk came from behind to win or tie a league game. The final minutes of the contest saw wide-open play from end to end as both teams attempted to tally the game-winner. Sudwerk goalkeeper Joe Cardoza made a spectacular game-saving stop on a breakaway with 2 minutes remaining, when he came off his line and blocked a blistering shot with his chest. "All in all, the club did a fine job," Werdna said. "We're closing out the season strong, just as we had hoped." The game's rough play, however, produced two Sudwerk injuries; Patrick Chandler and Hans Hemann suffered sore ankles. In other league action on Tuesday, Fearless forfeited for the third straight week, handing Davis United a 1-0 victory. Tuesday's results settled the league standings and made the playoff picture clear: Sudwerk will face River Plate while Davis United will go against Fearless in the opening round. The winners will square off for the league championship. Sudwerk is scheduled to play its final regular season game of the fall season at 8:45 p.m. next Tuesday against Davis United. ## |