Goals just before half time from Jamiel Hardware and Mike Ambersley secured Saint Louis FC a well deserved come from behind 2-1 win at Oklahoma City Energy on Saturday evening.
They had to do it the hard way though as Chuy Sanchez scored the opening goal after 13 minutes to give OKC the lead. It was just the wake up call that Saint Louis needed however as they then settled down into the game and began to dominate possession. Coach Dale Schilly had rang in the changes after the loss to Rochester last week and had moved Jamiel Hardware into a more advanced striker position and slotted Mike Ambersley in behind him at the top of the midfield. This paid immediate dividends after half an hour, Edwardsville native Sam Fink lofted the ball over the top to Hardware who dribbled past two onrushing Energy defenders to neatly slot home at the near post.
It was exactly what the team deserved and more was to come on 42 minutes as Oskar Gasecki picked up the ball in the middle of the pitch, cut inside a defender and unleashed a dipping shot from outside the 18 which crashed off the right hand post. The ball kindly fell to Ambersley who was alone in acres of space to calmly finish the rebound.
It was testament to the team that throughout the second half, Saint Louis were able to close the game out without really allowing the Energy to sustain any pressure. OKC had to rely on taking pot shots from outside the box which rarely troubled Mark Pais in goal, with his five saves earned his second win as Saint Louis goalkeeper.
Cyprian Hedrick and Jermie Lynch were ejected from the game after 80 minutes after Hedrick appeared to kick out at Lynch who then retaliated by pushing Hedrick to the ground. Lynch will be suspended for at least one game, possibly three depending on the referees report. He will at least miss Saint Louis FC next game which is at home to Wilmington Hammerheads on May 9th.
Saint Louis FC with this win moved two places in the eastern conference of USL to 6th place leapfrogging the Hammerheads and New York Red Bull 2.
feature picture via www.saintlouisfc.com
