By Jesus Sanchez / Special to the Times
Posted: 05/17/2009 12:20:33 AM MDT
EL PASO-The El Paso Patriots hot start came to an end at the hands of the Laredo Heat.
Despite the fact that the Patriots entered the game with a 2-0 record, they came out of the gate a step slow and got burned because of it.
The Heat wasted no time and took advantage of the Patriots’ early funk by scoring in the 7th minute en route to a 2-1 victory Saturday night at Patriots Stadium.
Esteban Bayona’s goal gave the Heat the early 1-0 lead, and they drew confidence from that.
"I got a great ball that came from the outside, and got a good view at the goal and headed in a corner, said Bayona."
The Patriots would counter with a goal of their own. Enrique Cervantes scored in the 22nd minute to tie the game 1-1.
Cervantes’ goal came on a freekick that had to be redone after a foul on one of the Heat’s players.
Then, after the kick in from the corner, the ball was kicked around a few times before it landed at the feet of Cervantes, who blasted it straight into the net.
Cervantes was happy to score, but was disappointed the team lost the game.
"I am just happy to help out our team," he said. "Unfortunately, we did not get the Win, "which is the most important thing to me." Throughout the game, the Patriots missed several opportunities to take the lead.
Opportunities, when they present themselves, especially in a tight game like this, are rare," Cervantes said, noting that the team needs to be able to take advantage of them.
After another missed opportunity for El Paso, the Heat took possession, drove downfield and scored what proved to be the game-winning goal.
Again it was Bayona, this time in the 88th minute, for his second goal of the game.
"I got a good look and was lucky to be at the right spot at the right time," he said. "I am happy for our team to come out with the 2-1 win." The loss was the first of the year for the Patriots, who had opened the season with consecutive victories at home.
After the game, El Paso coach Hugo Samano said his team had the effort, but not the result.
A game well fought," he said. "Few opportunities for goals." The Patriots will travel next weekend to take on the Austin Aztexs on Friday. Then on Saturday they travel to Dallas to play the DFW Tornados.
Asked what the team needs to do better during its road trip, Samano said, "Be more focused, and not lose that, because the concentration is important."
