On a perfect day in San Francisco for a soccer match, the San Francisco Seals (5-2-0) regained their hold on first place with a 4-1 win over the Fresno Fuego (3-3-1).  The win was particularly helpful as the Seahorses, who defeated the Seals last Monday, lost their match Friday night against the Bakersfield Brigade.

The Seals took the early lead with back to back goals by Seals forward John Colan, unassisted in the 26th and off an assist by Shani Simpson in the 28th minute.  Colan nearly had a hat trick 5 minutes later but the shot was blocked by Fuego keeper, Nick Hammond who had an outstanding game with a total of eight saves, five of which came in the first half alone. 

The Seals ended the first half in clear domination.  The seals out shot the Fuego with 15 shots in the first half to four by Fresno.  The Seals defensive back four seemed to win nearly every ball that came their way.  Center back Luke Tyburski won virtually every ball in the air.  Richard Halverson (San Jose State), also a center back in the four man set, stepped up to win ball after ball.  Left back Keven Long (USF) and right back Dave Vedder (St. Mary’s) were solid in the corners shutting down the outside game and turning the ball back up the field. 

Vedder made several supporting runs up the right wing and got in one shot that Hammond’s quick reactions saved. 

Midfield play by Hector Guzman on the right and John Carson on the left was as dynamic and energetic as the defensive play.  Both players participated defensively and worked hard on offence as Guzman got off five shots, and Carson four.  Hammond had to make saves on several shots from the pair.

Chris Rodd (USF) and Shani Simpson controlled the central midfield well as Simpson fed balls to the outside and forwards effectively.  Simpson’s efforts paid off in the 28th minute as he ran a ball out of the midfield and up the right side to the endline, and slotted the ball back up to Colan who finished the ball into the left side of the net for the Seals second goal.

Simpson won the ball in the 84th minute and slotted the ball past Hammond  for the Seals third goal, taking some of the pressure off the Seals.  Fresno had come out hard in the second half, and their attack often had three and four players hitting at the Seals defensive line.  Amaury Nunes scored the lone Fuego goal in the 55th minute on one such attack to bring the game to within reach at 2-1. 

The Fuego pressured well in the second half, but with the lone exception, the defense held.  Simpson’s goal seemed to take some of the wind out of the Fuego, and Carlos Diaz (St Mary’s) who came on in the 63rd minute for Matt Fitzgerald, iced the game in the 90th minute.

Next weekend the Seals have a tough back-to-back series in Washington as they take on the Tacoma FC (1-3-2) on Saturday evening, and the Yakima Reds (2-3-1) Sunday evening. 

Check out the post match podcast report featuring a fantastic interview with Seals Man of the Match, Captain Shani Simpson.  Hey Barmy Army, Shani loves you too! 
Click here to listen to the post-game podcast!
Click here to check out the photo album for the game!

The Seals will be back at USF Negoesco Stadium on Sunday June 18th as the Seals take on the Bakersfield Brigade.  The Seals will honor former Seals and USF star Marques White in a pregame ceremony starting about 1:40pm.  Tickets are available online at www.oursfseals.com.

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