NEWS RELEASE
June 25, 2006
 

SHORT HANDED ROOKS FALL TO THE KNIGHTS
Another Rooks' Ejection Hampers Performance

The Chico Rooks dropped a 3-1 decision to the visiting Sacramento Knights on Saturday night at the Rooks stadium on the Chico State campus.  The ejection of defender Anthony Putrus in the 25^th minute for a dangerous challenge was a major setback in the match for Chico.  Despite being a player down, the Rooks played well throughout the game holding the Knights to a 1 – 1 draw until the 76^th minute when Sacramento netted a well placed free kick and added an insurance goal in the 89^th minute.

The first half of play saw each team receive and finish a free kick from the penalty spot.  In the 30^th minute Keith Ratzburg, after making a dangerous run down the left side to the end line, had his cross into the box strike the arm of a Knights defender in the arm in front of the goal.  Donnie Ribaudo put Chicoup1 – 0 as he blasted the ensuing penalty kick to the lower left corner. 

The Knights knotted the score as they were awarded a penalty kick in the 45^th minute when Ben Gaternbien collided with a Sacramento player just inside the box.  Martin Simms netted the equalizer as the half ended.  The Rooks recorded 12 shots to 7 for the Knights in the first frame.

In the second half the depleted Rooks sat back and counter attacked.  The strategy appeared to be working until Sacramento scored the game winner on a 25-yard free kick by Ozzy Perez.  Perez bent his shot just inside the left post to beat the diving Rooks keeper Nick Clark.  The Knights added an insurance goal in the final minute of play as Elliot Ricks raced downfield and dropped a pass to Patrick Nelle in front of the net for an easy finish.

On a hot night like this when playing down a man it is usually only a matter of time before they break the ice,” said Clark who had a strong performance despite the score line.

With the loss the Rooks drop to 5 –7 – 5 in the National Premier Soccer League.  The early ejection was the fifth of the season for the Rooks of which Chico has only won one match. The Rooks will host the Salinas Valley Samba next Friday, June 30^th  at the soccer stadium on the Chico State campus at 7:30.

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