Hellenic United AC | Chicago, IL

HUAC's Over 30 men take all three points thanks to an impressive second half display at Montrose & Cumberland ...

HUAC made it six wins in a row in a scrappy win over an Atletico Jalisco side thanks to goals from Alan Hernandez, Terry Cirbo and a brace from Louis Flores.

Spiro Arsenis said earlier this week that he welcomed his players' involvement in the Hellenic Soccer Tournament and they certainly showed no signs of tiredness, racing into a lead with their first attack of the game after twelve minutes.

HUAC striker Louis Flores ghosted unmarked into the Atletico Jalisco penalty box to kick home a Terry Cirbo cross from the left wing to give HUAC the lead.

The goal settled HUAC's players and the home side looked shaky at the back as Flores continued to impress but Atletico Jalisco received a lifeline shortly after the half hour when HUAC defender Bill Javaras had a lapse in concentration which cost his side the lead. A run by an Atletico Jalisco forward was mishandled in the mixer by the HUAC veteran leaving the referee pointing at the spot. Atletico Jalisco made no mistake putting the penalty kick in the back of the net to level the game.

It was Atletico that went ahead in the score line right before halftime as a speedy run from the left side send HUAC defenders pondering as to what they could have done better.

But it was an HUAC second -half as the good guys scored three un-answered goals to keep their NSL first place standing.

HUAC responded immediately in the second half after an Atletico Jalisco defender passed the ball back to his goalkeeper who went on the ground grabbing the ball inside their penalty box area. As the home support bemoaned the referee's decision for an indirect kick HUAC midfielder Phil Lencioni touched the ball and an oncoming Alan Hernandez send the ball to rest in the back of an empty net to make the score 2-2. Atletico Jalisco were stunned and kept arguing about the ref's original call. All they earned was a goalkeeper ejection leaving their side with 10-men.

In the 65th a swift counter-attack left Mario Mele on the right flank and with just the 'keeper to beat" the HUAC striker crossed the ball to an on-coming Terry Cirbo who one-timed it in the low left hand corner of the net giving HUAC a 3-2 advantage.

It was only time before Louis Flores pounced for his second and HUAC's fourth ten minutes later, putting the tie beyond the hosts.

4-2 it remained, despite a sterling effort from Atletico Jalisco who did put Zarafonitis to the test on a couple of occasions late on.

Lineup: George Zarafonitis (GK), Bill Javaras, Gus Vellios, Alan Hernandez, Dan Kralj, Nick Penesis, Terry Cirbo, Phil Lencioni, Petros Ninis, Mario Mele, Louis Flores

Subs: Spiro Arsenis, Chris Stavrou, John Kosmas

Game Summary

1:0 Louis Flores 12'
2:2 Alan Hernandez 50'
2:3 Terry Cirbo 65'
2:4 Louis Flores 75'