Montreal dominates Minnesota
Four different goal scorers for Impact
Sunday, May 21, 2006
MONTREAL, QUE -- The Montreal Impact registered a decisive 4-0 victory against the Minnesota Thunder, Sunday, in front of 8,821 fans at Claude-Robillard Sports Complex, in the club’s 13th home opener.
 Nevio Pizzolitto (9th), Patrick Leduc (30th), Antonio Ribeiro (67th) and Daniel Antoniuk (87th) scored for Montreal, bringing the team’s record to 2-1-1 in First Division United Soccer Leagues standings.
It was the first time the Impact scored four goals since June 22, 2005, when Montreal beat the Charleston Battery 4-2.
Goalkeeper Greg Sutton earned his third shutout of the season, his 61st with the Impact, and faced nine shots from the Thunder. The Impact dominated their opponent 19-9 in shots.
After today’s game, Impact defender Nevio Pizzolitto reached the 15,000-minutes mark in his career, having now played 15,031 minutes with the Impact.
The Impact has never lost in five match-ups against the Thunder and has dominated Minnesota 14-1 in goals.
Since their inaugural season in 1993, the Impact has a lifetime record of 9-1-3 in home opening games.
THE GOALS
9th minute – Impact defender Nevio Pizzolitto scored the first goal of the game. On the play, midfielder Leonardo Di Lorenzo redirected the ball with the head following a corner kick by Antonio Ribeiro. Forward Mauricio Salles took a point blank shot, and Pizzolitto completed the play, beating Thunder goalkeeper Joe Warren to his left.
30th minute – Midfielder Patrick Leduc doubled the Impact’s score with his first goal of the season. After a failed bicycle-kick attempt by midfielder Antonio Ribeiro, Leduc recuperated the ball just outside the box and sent a low drive to the left of Warren.
67th minute – On a rush on the right wing, defender Adam Braz centered the ball to Ribeiro who scored on header, to the right of Warren.
87th minute – Daniel Antoniuk completed the score for the Impact at the 87th minute, with his second goal of the season. Served by Zé Roberto, Antoniuk was sent in alone on the left flank and beat Warren with a low shot.
COMMENTAIRES D’APRÈS-MATCH
NICK DE SANTIS
« I think the team believed in itself from the onset. We won many balls and even after a 2-0 lead, we never stopped attacking. Today, the midfield won the game for us. It’s very positive for team moral and confidence.»
NEVIO PIZZOLITTO
« We played well in the first half and we scored two goals, which made our lives easier. It’s very motivating for everyone to win like this. It’s a special feeling to score an important goal. The ball was in front of me and I didn’t miss the opportunity.»
PATRICK LEDUC
« Everybody did what they had to do today. We were dangerous from all sides. They were intimidated and we never let them get into the game. Each time they gave signs of life, we scored a goal. We were nervous before the game, but very motivated to perform well in front of our fans.»
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