Kickers Fall a Goal Short to San Jose

Despite spending the better part of the second half in front of the San Jose goal, the Hollywood Kickers failed to launch a winning rally, losing to the Earthquakes, 3-2, in a Western Soccer Alliance game Saturday night at Birmingham High.

The loss may have come as a surprise to the Kickers, who entered the game with two wins, a loss and a tie. San Jose traveled to the Valley without a win, but, unfortunately for the Kickers, San Jose remembered to bring Chance Fry and Derek Sanderson.

Fry scored a goal in the first half and another in the second, and with the score tied at two late in the match, Sanderson scored an unassisted game-winning goal.

Sanderson’s goal proved frustrating for the Kickers, who had come from behind twice to catch the Earthquakes.

After playing to a 1-1 tie in the first half, both teams took the field in the second with, it seemed, boosted enthusiasm.

Fry put the Earthquakes ahead, 2-1, at 53:25, knocking the ball past Hollywood goalkeeper Lorenzo Caccialanza from 10 yards out.

Hollywood (2-2-1) was able to retaliate without wasting much time, matching San Jose’s goal on a direct kick by Rudy Ybarra.

As game’s end drew near, it looked as if both teams were playing toward their second tie of the season. Sanderson, however, had a different outcome in mind. At 77:15, Sanderson fired the ball at Caccialanza, who blocked the shot only to watch Sanderson pop the rebound into the net to end the scoring.

San Jose, the defending WSA champion, is 1-2-1.

In the first half, San Jose scored about as quickly as the contest began. Fry took a pass from Barney Boyce in front of the Kickers’ net and booted the ball just over the outstretched hands of Caccialanza. The goal, at 6:27, gave the Earthquakes a 1-0 lead.

After a slow start in the first half, the Kickers were able to collect themselves and execute in the latter of the first half.