Godfrey, IL – The Loggers lost a hard fought contest with Lewis & Clark tonight, 3-2.  The first half play saw the Trailblazers draw first blood on an impressive 25 yard shot.  Coach Shawn Dunas stated, "It was a great shot but 9 out of 10 times they wouldn't score.  We have a very tough keeper in Jake Oldani and they got a gift with that goal going in."
Fifteen minutes later the Trailblazers got their second goal on a very quick counter attack that start with 2013 Region Player of the Year, Melvin Becket.  The Loggers knocked on the door the multiple times in the first half.  Texan freshman Adrian Manzano beat the Trailblazer keeper and hit the post on heartbreaking play.   "We did a great job creating opportunities in the first half but failed to have positive results."  Four minutes left in the half, Adrian Manzano beat a couple of Lewis & Clark defenders crossed the ball back to Blake Smith who crushed a volley into the back of the Trailblazer net. "That was the best goal we have scored all season," commented Coach Dunas.  The half ended with Lewis & Clark ahead 2-1.

Fifteen minutes in, the Trailblazers drew a foul which they quickly played before the ball even stopped rolling.  The quick restart stunned the Loggers as Lewis and Clark found the side netting for their third goal of the match and the lead 3-1.  The Loggers kept battling and creating scoring opportunities.  The never give up attitude paid off when Marco Murillo slid a ball to Timmy Kasa who crushed the ball into the Trailblazer net from 22 yards out.   LLCC controlled the majority of the possessions in the rest of the half.  Unfortunately, even despite good scoring opportunities, the Loggers were unable to score.  The Loggers outshot the Trailblazers 12 shots to 11. 

Coach Dunas commented on the overall play of the game and the poor luck of his team, "We dominated the play the first 15 minutes and I really thought we were going to even up the first half score."  The turning point of the game was the questionable foul and restart that led to a Trailblazer goal.  "I'm not trying to make excuses however the restart was a questionable turn of events.  It was another unlucky goal."

Dunas stated that he was very proud of the boys' efforts today. "Everyone contributed in one way or another. We honestly get better every day. We grew as a team again today. I feel confident that these boys will peak at the right time. A lot of guys are really stepping up. Jake Oldani has taken over the goalkeeping role and is doing a phenomenal job!  We will be ready to make a run at the end."
 
The loggers will take on another region opponent on Saturday as they travel to East Peoria to Illinois Central College. LLCC is looking to avenge an earlier loss to ICC (3-1).