Artesia DES

Doxa completed the league double over Artesia DES with a comprehensive 3-0 away win on Sunday.

15 minutes in, Kyle Holland hit a cross-field pass to Ricky Figueroa around midfield. He collected and picked his head up to play a threaded pass with precision and weight to Steve Merker who scored the first goal. Second goal came just before the stroke of halftime. Ilia Nazarov (who arrived right at kick-off) was subbed on for Holland at left midfield. A quick combination worked an opening in the center of midfield to spring Villalobos down the left side, after a few dance moves usually reserved for the disco-tech’s in Hollywood, Villa separated, to pass a deft ball to the back of the six yard box. Chirgwin collected craftfully around his defender with his right peg across his body, setting up the defender to swipe & miss, the ball sat nicely for him to smash low into the far post with his left instep.

The third goal came in the second half. A ball found Ricky’s feet on the right side just advanced passed midfield. He cut inside his defender and played a daisy-cutter to the Russian Rocket breaking into the penalty area. The rocket didn’t even need to break stride, the ball stroked his foot into the back of the net just as the large rhinoceros goalkeeper was coming out of his cage.

Goals:
1- Steve Merker (Ricky Figueroa)
2- Steve Chirgwin (Andrew Villalobos)
3- Ilia Nazarov (Ricky Figueroa)

Starting Line-up
1. Brandon Avery
2. Nas Kourourus
3. Nathan Reeves
4. Joe Cartlidge
5. Ricky Firueroa
6. Steve Chirgwin
7. Raul Palomares
8. Andrew Villalobos
9. Steve Merker
10. Kyle Holland
11. Ritchie Million

12. Ilia Nazarov

Doxa Italia 2 Artesia DES 1

Bryan Byrne scores in the 88th minute to earn 3 points from Artesia.

Doxa Italia opens the 2010 CSL with a 2-1 victory over Artesia DES at Manhattan Beach Village Saturday night. Doxa’s first scheduled match for the season was a forfeit as CGSA failed to produce a team in time for the match. Artesia was coming off a 3-0 win against Garden Grove Gunners. They were up for the match and started fast with high pressure and a quick pace but the Doxa midfield of Dave Adams, Aaron Craggs and Mat Davis was up to the task and kept possession for most of the first half and sending Doxa forwards Bryan Byrne and Ryan Taylor on run after run. Ryan Taylor came close to giving Doxa the lead after Bryan Byrne made a run up the right side and into the box and centering a bouncing ball that Taylor hit first time in stride whistling the ball just inches wide of the goal. Doxa had several more attacks and kept the Artesia keeper busy as he had to make several saves to keep the scoreline even at 0-0.

Veteran Doxa Italia goalkeeper Brian Burdue had very little do do in the first half thanks to the stellar defense of “Angry” Nate Reeves, Nas Koubouras, Eric Meister and Marcus Watson. But when called into action Burdue snuffed any Artesia attack by swiping crosses out of the air and coming quick off his line to take any through ball including one great save/tackle taking away what Artesia must of thought was a sure goal.

The 2nd half saw Doxa switch out the midfield with Steve Chirgwin, Ricky Figueroa and Eddie Pinto coming in to see if they could produce a Doxa goal. But at the 60th minute, against the run of play, it would be Artesia who struck first with a free kick given about 30 yards froam goal. A ball was lifted into the box and fell to an Artesia forward who volleyed the ball into the back of the net. Doxa players were calling for a hand ball on the play but the ref was having none of it.

Doxa started to unravel a bit and 5 minutes later another free kick was awarded to Artesia. The ball was sent into the box and an Artesia player flicked it on towards goal. Doxa keeper Brian Burdue did well to get his hand on the shot slowing the the ball down but an onrushing Artesia forward knocked the ball into the net. The Artesia celebration was short-lived however, as the linesman had his flag up signaling for an offside.

Doxa regained it’s shape and once again dominated possession. Artesia – as it had most of the game – played with 11 behind the ball thwarting of attack after attack. In the 75th minute Doxa was awarded a penalty for a hand ball in the box. Marcus Watson, who had somehow persuaded/fought off Steve Chirgwin and Eddie Pinto to take the spot kick, calmly sent the Artesia keeper the other way. Artesia 1 Doxa Italia 1. Doxa didn’t stop there and kept the pressure on. Artesia was determined to get the draw but in the 88th minute Ricky Figueroa intercepted a pass in the Doxa midfield and sent the ball back to Brian Burdue. Burdue took a touch and noticed that Figueroa was off to the races and knocked a perfect 60 yard ball on a rope to Figueroa in stride. With a quick touch to control, Figueroa sent a perfect ball to the sprinting Bryan Byrne who smashed the ball into the back of the net and ending any ill conceived thought that Artesia had that they would leave Manhattan Beach Village with any points. The center ref blew the final whistle 2 minutes later and the boys went off to Grunions Bar and Grill in Manhattan Beach to celebrate the successful beginning of the 2010 CSL.

1. Brian Burdue
2. Eric Meister
3. Nas Koubourus
4. Nate Reeves
5. Marcus Watson
6. Andrew Villalobos
7. Dave Adams
8. Aaron Craggs
9. Mat Davis
10. Ryan Taylor
11. Bryan Byrne

12. Eddie Pinto
13. Ricky Figueroa
14. Steve Chirgwin
15. Devon Toohey
16. Sean Lockhart
17. Masa
18. Yuki
19. Zach Roberts