College of DuPage, Illinois, USA - HUAC O30 handed Lake Shore S.C. their first loss of the season with an emphatic 5-1 win at the College of DuPage. HUAC counts three wins in a row and has now improved to a 7-0-2 record in Chicago's National Soccer League.
Mele (20th and 35th), Terry Cirbo (50th and 60th), and Louis Flores (75th) were on target for the hosts while Lake Shore scored early in the second half to bring the scoreline to 2-1.
HUAC never allowed Lake Shore to settle down and unleashed attacks at lightning speed, spearheaded by Mele, supported by Louis Flores and central midfielders Terry Cirbo and Phil Lencioni.
After HUAC's first goal Lake Shore appeared rusty and lacked the spark as in the early first ten minutes of the match. Lake Shore's midfield and defense caved in as HUAC attacked with ease.
Recap of HUAC goals:
20' - After winning a free-kick in the middle of the field, Phil Lencioni delivered a shot into the Lake Shore mixer where Mario Mele was waiting, and with a flick of his head looped the ball over the oncoming Lake Shore goalie to make the score 1-0.
35' - This time it was Louis Flores who turned provider as the HUAC forward shook his defender and crossed the ball in front of an on-coming Mele who had not problem sending the ball to rest in the back of the net.
50' - After a corner kick saw the ball miskicked by several Lake Shore defenders it was Terry Cirbo that made the score 3-0 from close range.
60' - The fourth goal for HUAC was a thing of beauty as Louis Flores crossed the ball over the Lake Shore defense to find Terry Cirbo inside the penalty box. Cirbo chested the ball down and looped the ball over the goalie who was coming out of his line to close down on him. Every effort by the Lake Shore defenders to get back in time to see the ball from crossing the line was futile.
75' - After making a 3-month comeback forward Dimitri Pagonis shook two defenders and at the right time picked his head up and served the ball to an on-coming Flores on the right side who had no problem tapping the ball beyond the keeper's reach to complete the 5-1 route.
HUAC coaches Yiannis Kosmas and Spiro Arsenis refused to get carried away despite seeing their side having one of their best games of the season.
Kosmas warned: "With all the joy, we should not make this victory out to be better than it is. The opponent tried to counter us with their physical presence in the second half, but in the end you have got to say that our quality and assurance with the ball won through."
"‘While we are satisfied with our performance, we are still making simple errors at crucial times," said Arsenis and then later added: "Our boys looked good in both halves but we nearly let ourselves down badly by losing concentration in the second half."
Lineup: Andreas Papakostas (GK), Alex Javaras, Gus Velios, Yannie Moraitis, Giuseppe Rivetti, Petros Ninis, Phil Lencioni, Terry Cirbo, Alan Hernandez, Mario Mele, Louis Flores.
Subs: Chris Stavrou, Dan Kralj, Bill Javaras, Dimitri Pagonis
Game Summary
1:0 Mario Mele 20'
2:0 Mario Mele 35' 3:1 Terry Cirbo 50' 4:1 Terry Cirbo 60' 5:1 Louis Flores 75'