Sudwerk Scores Spectacular Victory By Bryant Maxwell Andre Press Soccer Writer DAVIS, Calif., July 18 -- FC Sudwerk broke out of a slump Thursday night by pounding Stone Monkeys 9-2 to record its first DARSL victory. Striker John Acord led the way for the red-and-black by scoring a hat trick, hitting the cross bar twice and missing just wide on a header after receiving a beautiful arching cross from midfielder Aaron Stephens. In addition, Jeannine Henderson netted two goals. "This is a wonderful result," said Ramal Werdna, club president and CEO. "Most importantly, we passed the ball very intelligently. Obviously players are becoming more familiar with each other and communicating better." Sudwerk gave up the first goal in the early going, but then rallied back with three impressive tallies. First, defender Joe Cardoza put Sudwerk on the board with a nicely touched shot just inside the box that looped over the goalie and into the net. Michele Podesta recorded the second on a free kick from 25 yards out that sailed over a five-man wall and into goal just below the cross bar. After Stone Monkeys equalized, Acord rounded out the red-and-black's first-half scoring by hammering home a shot from 10 yards out. Sudwerk came close on another brilliant opportunity. Midfield winger Randi Field broke free and sprinted with the ball to the end line inside the box, then played a terrific heal pass to Stephens, who was following, and he slammed a shot off the near post. After taking a 3-2 lead into the break, Sudwerk came out strong in the second half and dominated, creating countless opportunities. Acord's second goal came on an excellent build up. He chested the ball at the left side of the field near the center line, turned and volleyed a pass to Henderson in the center. As Henderson and other attackers raced up field, Henderson played a perfect through ball to Acord on the left wing. He took one touch inside the box and then launched a rocket into the net. Sudwerk's other two goals came from Stephens and an own-goal that rebounded into the net off a Stone Monkeys defender after Acord attempted a cross to Podesta. Meanwhile, the red-and-black's defense looked steadier than ever with John Sylvain sweeping and fullbacks David Raybould and Joe Cardoza shutting down counterattacks. The victory comes a week after Sudwerk opened the summer season by falling 2-0 to Arsenal in 100-degree weather. Sudwerk's next game is 6:30 p.m. on Friday, July 26, against Oldenfowl. Sylvain will play with Oldenfowl, the other team he is under contract to. "I don't know what John's doing," Werdna said. "The last Sudwerk regular to play against us -- Bruce Berry -- ended up breaking his toe and missing the summer season. That's some bad soccer karma." ## |