Sports
Ashford Ends Rio Grande’s Season In 5-1 Slashing
By: Kaleb Carter
Posted on:
Right from the opening kickoff, the Rio Grande RedStorm were outplayed, more so than in any game in the 2013 season. Ashford supplied pressure on the defense early, putting five shots on goal in the first five minutes on its way to a 5-1 victory.
The Saints’ Daniel Dreier scored 14 minutes in to give the Saints an early 1-0 advantage.
A swing in momentum allowed Rio to get several opportunities in the box.
Pau Rodriguez responded in the 17th minute to even things up, 1-1.
25 minutes in, Lucas Almeida scored off a give and go that was assisted by Tim Krautheim. The goal gave the Saints a 2-1 lead.
Rio lost its superstar striker Luiz Filho in the 35th minute when he was sent off with a red card. It was a blow that haunted them for the rest of the match.
Filho came into the match leading the country with 28 goals. His loss effectively ruined almost any chance Rio had at victory.
The RedStorm, while outplayed, did manage to have their opportunities near the net, even more so than Ashford, who attempted 20 shots with nine landing on goal.
In addition to his goal, Rodriguez attempted five shots.
Javier Ramirez scored in the 48th minute, and Daniel Dreier effectively broke the backs of the RedStorm in the 67th minute to go up 4-1.
In the 75th minute Johannes Langhans added the final tally in the victory.
The 5-1 loss was the worst margin of loss the RedStorm incurred in 2013. It was only their third loss of the season. They finish with a record of 16-3-3 and fail to advance to the Final Four of the NAIA Tournament.