News

BAYAMON, P.R. (Aug. 18, 2012) – The Fort Lauderdale Strikers (8W-7T-8L) earned a 0-0 draw against the Puerto Rico Islanders (10W-5T-7L) at the newly renovated Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium on Saturday night in Puerto Rico. The Islanders and Strikers had several chances to score, but the goalkeepers for both sides we able to keep clean sheets for the full 90 minutes. Strikers goalkeeper Matt Glaeser made five saves and Puerto Rico's Richard Martin made four to stop the offenses. 

“To come down here where it's a hard place to play and get our second shutout in a row is a big for our team,” said Strikers head coach Daryl Shore. “Apart from the first 10 minutes, I think we dug in and did well to get the result we got.”

Puerto Rico's Gregory Richardson and Jonathan Fana were very active early with Richardson recording four shots on the night and Fana setting up several teammates. The Islanders best chance may have been in the 26th minute when Nick Addlery collected the ball inside the top of the box and shot across his body toward the goal. Matt Glaeser was leaning the opposite direction, but managed to reverse his momentum and stick his right arm out to stop the ball from going in.

The Strikers played a very defensive match, but still had several chances to score. Just before the first half ended Mark Anderson sent a lobbed pass about 30 yards toward the Islanders net with forward Abe Thompson running under the ball alone with only Martin in front of him. Thompson tried to volley the ball after its first high bounce, but he was unable to connect cleanly with the ball and it went just wide of the left goal post.

The shutout is the second straight for the Strikers and the fifth of the season for Matt Glaeser who sees his GAA drop to 1.65 on the year.