NEWS RELEASE
April 21, 2006

ROOKS TO BATTLE SAN JOSE SATURDAY NIGHT
Look to Improve Record to 3 - 0

The Chico Rooks (2 - 0) will host another National Premier Soccer League 2006 expansion team, the San Jose Frogs (1 - 1), on Saturday night at the Soccer Stadium on the Chico State campus.  The Frogs, along with the Redwood City Ruckus, SD Fusion, Denver Kickers and the Phoenix Banat Storm are the five new teams in the NPSL Western Division.

Last week in Chico the Rooks rallied from a one-goal deficit to defeat the Ruckus despite being forced to play nearly 50 minutes a player down due to a first half ejection.  After a lackluster first half and the ejection of Tibi Marinescu for a dangerous tackle the Rooks found themselves down 1- 0 to the Ruckus at intermission. 

As unlikely as it seems, the Rooks rallied to net two second half goals and all but shut down the Ruckus attack denying them any shots in the second period.  Donnie Ribaudo equalized for Chico in the 76^th minute as he flicked a shot over the head of the Redwood City keeper following a long throw-in by Brett Williams that Joe Munoz dished to Ribaudo.  A minute later Keith Ratzburg scored his second game-winning goal in two weeks.  Following a well saved shot by Munoz, the ball rebounded to Ratzburg who deftly rifled a one touch shot from 22 yards to make it 2 – 1. 

Last week in San Jose the Frogs were edged 2 – 1 by the Sacramento Knights, the 2005 NPSL Western Conference Champions.   San Jose crushed the Ruckus by a score of 4 – 0 in their first NPSL match two weeks ago.

The Rooks – San Jose match will kick-off Saturday night at 7:30.  Admission is $6.00 for adults and $3.00 for youths. Children under 5 years are admitted free.

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