| Andre Press Sports Ticker Sudwerk Can't Hold Early Lead By Bryant Maxwell AP Soccer Writer DAVIS, Calif., Feb. 26 -- FC Sudwerk suffered another demoralizing defeat on Tuesday, losing 4-3 to Big Pern's Posse after leading by two goals early on. The red-and-black fell to 2-4-0 on the season and dropped into fourth place after being victimized by a last-minute goal for the second consecutive week. Posse, trailing for most of the game, got the game-winner on a two-on-two breakaway with just under two minutes remaining. "To lose like this two weeks in a row is very frustrating," said Ramal Werdna, president and CEO of FC Sudwerk. "There is a tiny, tiny difference between this club being 2-4 and 4-2." Sudwerk dominated the first half and led 2-0, thanks to two goals from striker Ralph Garcia. But Posse rallied back and got the equalizer with one minute remaining in the first half. In the second half, Sudwerk attacked relentlessly and again controlled much of the play. The red-and-blck took a 3-2 lead on a beautiful passing combination that left midfielder Armando Murrieta all alone on the six-yard line. The Brazilian Silva, a reserve called up to fill in for absent Sudwerk players, dribbled down the right flank, stopped, held on to the ball and passed through traffic to Murrieta, who made a run to the left side of the goal. Sudwerk had many other scoring opportunities but could not convert. Meanwhile, midway through the half, Posse scored on an impressive shot from 20 yards out that goalie Joe Cardoza was screend on. Posse withstood Sudwerk's constant pressure and counterattacked well. "This was truly a game we controlled and should have won," Werdna said. "It's always tough when a game like that slips away." On the bright side, the three Sudwerk replacements recruited for the game--Silva, Balta Silva and Renee Wurschmidt--all turned in solid performances. Also, Murrieta, who has been out for weeks with a knee injury, returned to the lineup in good form. Regulars Bruce Berry, Chris Lief, Joncarlo Mark and Andrew LaMar were not available. Sudwerk will conclude the season with a doubleheader next Tuesday. The club squares off against Davis United at 7:15 p.m. and faces Woodland at 8:45 p.m. Werdna said he expects all Sudwerk players except for LaMar to return to the lineup for next week's action. In other league play Tuesday night, Davis United beat Big Pern's Posse 4-2 and Julie's Coeds 6-3, and Woodland defeated Julie's Coeds 6-5. ## |