Artesia DES

Doxa wrapped up the 2012/13 CSL title in style on Saturday night, taking a 7-0 win versus Artesia DES at Manhattan Village.

In all fairness, the game was closer than the scoreline stated and Artesia definitely came to play. It took Doxa 20 minutes before they carved out their first real opportunity, and Ilia Nazarov took full advantage. A through ball from Bryan Byrne gave Nazarov a 1-on-1 with the keeper, and he scooped it over him into the empty net. The second came from a long ball as center-back, Nas Koubouras, cleared a ball. It found its way over the Artesia defense where Byrne chased it down before knocking it around the keeper and into the net. The score was 2-0 at half time.

Doxa made some half time changes and came out firing in the second half, knowing there was only 45 minutes left before sealing a consecutive league title. Nazarov got his 2nd of the game off a Byrne assist and the same duo teamed up for Byrne’s second of the game to increase the lead to 4-0. Then Byrne was taking down in the penalty box, and Gabe Valencia stepped up to score his first league goal of the season. Byrne wrapped up his hattrick, before Devin Toohey scored a well deserved goal just before the end of the game.

With the win, Doxa are now 8 points clear with only 2 games left to play.

Goals:
#1 – Ilia Nazarov (Bryan Byrne)
#2 – Bryan Byrne (Nas Koubouras)
#3 – Ilia Nazarov (Bryan Byrne)
#4 – Bryan Byrne (Ilia Nazarov)
#5 – Gabe Valencia (Bryan Byrne)
#6 – Bryan Byrne (Ricky Figueroa)
#7 – Devin Toohey (Gabe Valencia, Ricky Figueroa)

1. Justin Commins
2. Nissa Hatiffe
3. Nas Koubourus
4. Kyle Holland
5. Ricky Figueroa
6. Mike Piechota
7. Ryan Purtell
8. Devin Toohey
9. Bryan Byrne
10. Eric Meister
11. Ilia Nazarov

12. Brandon Avery
13. Richie Million
14. Miguel Alvarez
15. Diego Turroldo
16. Gabe Valencia
17. Eddie Pinto
18. Pinder Nijjar

Images by: Christopher Whittle

Doxa continued their winnings ways with a 4-2 away win versus Artesia DES on Sunday morning.

It turned out to be a slow start for Doxa, with Joe Cartlidge forgetting to bring the gear with to the field. Thankfully, it arrived before kick-off and Joe took over laundry duty for another week! On the field, it was a slightly faster start and after only 10 minutes, Doxa took the lead. Ricky Figueroa played a through ball to Bryan Byrne who beat the offside trap and tucked the ball past the onrushing keeper. The second also came from Ricky Figueroa, this time some great work on the right led to a pinpoint cross that landed on the head of Eric Meister. Meister gladly nodded it home for his second goal of the season. Artesia did get back into the game before the half, after Aaron Perez tried to clear the ball off the strikers leg – sadly, rebounds usually come back toward you, as was the case in this instance!

In the second half, Doxa continued attacking and the third goal came from the same combo as the first. Ricky Figueroa played another through ball to Byrne who duly beat the keeper for his team leading 12th goal of the season. Artesia again battled their way back into the game and threatened to get an equalizer until Ricky Figueroa sealed the result and capped an excellent personal performance. Gabe Valencia was the creator and he was unlucky not to score himself, choosing to give Ricky the tap-in instead of attempting a tight shot himself.

With the win, Doxa stay top with 8-from-8 wins. Next weekend, the team travels to play Cal FC in Thousand Oaks with a 5pm kick-off.

Goals:
#1 – Bryan Byrne (Ricky Figueroa)
#2 – Eric Meister (Ricky Figueroa)
#3 – Bryan Byrne (Ricky Figueroa)
#4 – Ricky Figueroa (Gabe Valencia)

1. Aaron Perez
2. Ryan Purtell
3. Joe Cartlidge
4. Kyle Holland
5. Ricky Figueroa
6. Nissa Hatife
7. Mike Piechota
8. Eric Meister
9. Bryan Byrne
10. Steve Chirgwin
11. Ilia Nazarov

12. Richie Million
13. Justin Valashinas
14. Miguel Alvarez
15. Greg Piechota
16. Gabe Valencia
17. Devin Skrade

Doxa 2 – Artesia DES 2

Doxa struggled in their first CSL game of 2012 and could only garner a point versus Artesia DES. Doxa took the lead twice in the game, but were pegged back on both occassions.

Goals:
#1 – Ryan Taylor (Steve Chirgwin)
#2 – Matt Upton (Craig Reynolds)

1. Brandon Avery
2. Gurgen Adzemian
3. Craig Reynolds
4. Devin Toohey
5. Nas Koubourus
6. Steve Chirgwin
7. Nate Reeves
8. Ryan Taylor
9. Bryan Byrne
10. Ilia Nazarov
11. Richie Million

12. Gabe Valencia
13. Justin Commins
14. Matt Upton
15. Tai Doan
16. Sam Allan
17. Ryan Loza
18. Spencer Shortland
19. Zach Roberts

Doxa continued winning ways on Sunday with a solid 3-0 away win over Artesia DES.

In similar fashion to Friday nights game, it didn’t take Doxa long to get on the scoresheet and it was again Bryan Byrne. Steve Merker applied some pressure on the defender who played a weak ball back to his keeper, Byrne ran into it and beat the keeper with a low shot. Byrne turned provided for the second when his cross from the right was met on the full volley by Vardan Adzemian. The keeper had no chance, giving Adzemian his first Doxa goal. The score stayed at 2-0 until half-time with Doxa bossing the game.

In the second half, Doxa introduced several subs including Matt Upton for the first time in over a year. But, it was another sub that got on the scoresheet for the third goal. Devin Toohey played a ball down the right side to Andrew Villalobos, who beat his man and found Tai Doan in the area. Doan took a touch before drilling his shot past the keeper, sealing the win. Doxa could and probably should have scored a few more, but it was a solid away win and the 3-0 scoreline did the game justice. Doxa were particularly strong at the back, with Spencer Shortland putting in a solid display – although the referee did have words with him before halftime!!

Goals:
#1 – Bryan Byrne (Steve Merker)
#2 – Vardan Adzemian (Bryan Byrne)
#3 – Tai Doan (Andrew Villalobos)

1. Aaron Perez
2. Nate Reeves
3. Spencer Shortland
4. Devin Toohey
5. Vardan Adzemian
6. David Adams
7. Andrew Marinez
8. Andrew Villalobos
9. Steve Merker
10. Eric Meister
11. Bryan Byrne

12. Derk Droze
13. Zach Roberts
14. Matt Upton
15. Tai Doan
16. Pablo C