Scores
Novi Pazar 0 – 2 Vozdovac
It was a critical win for the Red Dragons. Taking all three points from fellow relegation battler Novi Pazar. The full on blitz put them two goals up inside of five minutes, with Aleksandar Bogdanovic and Stefan Purtic dealing the blows and they never looked in danger of fading. With four games left, staying up isn’t a guarantee, another strong road showing in six days would be an even bigger help [TO BE CONTINUED IN THIS POST…]
University of Montana Grizzlies 0 – 1 University of South Carolina Gamecocks [NCAA Tournament]
The Gamecocks had the Grizzlies on the back foot for most of the match. They had 10 shots on target compared to Montana’s 2, but the Griz had Claire Howard. Her new team record of 9 saves served the squad well and kept them close throughout the match. Unfortunately South Carolina got the game’s one break, and the Griz’s best season ever in rankings ended earlier than they would have liked.
Emelec 3 – 0 Red Bull Bragantino [Copa Sudamerica]
Los Bombillos continued their strong showing in the continental competition. This time standing up against Brazil’s representative to the Red Bull Empire. Alejandro Cabeza continued his fine form, netting the final goal while Pedro Ortiz pitched his second straight Copa shutout.
LSV Kvinner v Rosenborg [F]
Another week, another ladies league on hiatus. Rosenborg and the rest of the Toppserien will be back at the end of May.
Dundee United 0 – 2 Ross County
Boy did the Staggies need that. Jordan White and Alex Iacovitti scored in quick succession to give the team an edge on the road. Then Iacovitti and his back line buddies blockaded the goal giving Dundee a scant 3 shots, none of which were particularly close. It got them out of danger for the moment, before a match in two weeks against Hamilton that could doom their opponents and save themselves.
Legon Cities 0 – 1 Asante Kotoko
Don’t get me wrong, I like the Royals, but the hands down coolest name will always be “the porcupine Warriors” of Kotoko. An early goal boosted one of Ghana’s most decorated teams to the top of the league…the Royals, on the other hand, are still scuffling near the bottom of the table.
Minnesota United 0 – 1 Austin FC
Doom and gloom abounds after another home defeat. Erstwhile favorites Brent Kallman and Chase Gasper are close to persona non grata in online fan circles and after falling to the bottom of the whole league some serious questions are ahead for a “dark horse” contender.
Orense 2 – 3 Emelec [M]
After racing out to an early lead (made possible by Pedro Ortiz stopping an early penalty), Los bombillos almost gave it back. Fortunately the team held on to salvage Sebastian Rodriguez’s pair of penalties and a perfect chip from Alexis Zapata.
Grenoble 1 – 2 Clermont Foot [M]
Willy Semedo’s last gasp penalty was too little for the alpiners who officially lost their shot at automatic promotion. Their match at Auxerre on Saturday could clinch a playoff spot or keep us in suspense.
Mladost Lucani 1 – 0 Vozdovac
[CONTINUED FROM ABOVE…] unfortunately, a double in the week was not to be, as Vozdovac ceded the decisive goal right before half time. With three games to go, no one can afford to be complacent or defeated. The crunch match on the weekend with Napredak would go a long way to soothing anxiety before an expected thrashing against Partisan Belgrade in two weeks.
News & Notes
Last Dance
It’s definitely with a tear in our eye that we say goodbye to this iteration of the University of Montana Grizzly Soccer team. Even though we’re only joining the party this year, we’ve really enjoyed cheering for the ladies of Zoo Town throughout this campaign. We want to wish a very happy future to the seniors: Taylor Stoeger, Alison Monroe, Rebekah Burton, Catie Buck, Avery Adams, Rita Lang, Brooke Johnston, Mimi Eiden, and Masters students Alexa Coyle and Claire Howard.
Congratulations to the students, their families, and all the supporters who helped them obtain their degree. It’d be cool if you boys play sports, but we’d really love it if you worked as hard in the classroom as these women did.
Au Revoir, Grenobloises
In the rush of news from the last week, we missed that the French Football Federation (FFF) did in fact cancel the remainder of the 2nd Division season for women. So, Grenoble’s ladies will be out of action until the fall when, hopefully, they’ll get to play a full season for the first time since 2018-2019
Player of the Week
In this blog we stan Claire Howard, but we ought to recognize that other people play goal keeper too. Including Pedro Ortiz who has followed his fine showings for country with dominant performances for the club, putting Emelec in contention for both domestic and continental glory this year. He’s like the Claire Howard of Guayaquil.
Standings Update
Emelec’s double over the week boosted them to the top of the table, but with the Griz on hiatus until the fall, any slip will put the garnet and silver back on top.
| Team | W | D | L | PPG | GFA | GAA |
| Emelec | 10 | 2 | 1 | 2.46 | 2.2 | 1.0 |
| University of Montana–b | 9 | 0 | 2 | 2.45 | 2.1 | 0.6 |
| Punjab FC–b | 7 | 4 | 6 | 1.47 | 1.2 | 0.9 |
| Grenoble Foot | 8 | 6 | 7 | 1.43 | 1.3 | 1.2 |
| Freiburg | 9 | 3 | 10 | 1.36 | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| Legon Cities FC | 5 | 5 | 6 | 1.25 | 1.2 | 0.9 |
| Alebrijes | 4 | 7 | 5 | 1.19 | 1.5 | 1.9 |
| Ross County | 6 | 2 | 9 | 1.18 | 1.3 | 1.6 |
| FK Vozdovac | 4 | 5 | 8 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 1.6 |
| Minnesota United | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 3.0 |
| Rosenborg BK-b | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – |
b–Team is between seasons
What’s Next
Wednesday, May 5th
7:30 Tolima v. Emelec [Copa Sudamerica]
Thursday, May 6th
11:30 Hertha BSC v. Freiburg [M]
Friday, May 7th
Saturday, May 8th
1:00 Auxerre v. Grenoble [M]
6:30 Barcelona SC v Emelec [M]
9:00 Colorado v. Minnesota United
Sunday, May 9th
6:30 Koln v. Freiburg [M]
7:00 SC Freiburg v SGS Essen [F]
10:00 Ebusa Dwarfs v. Legon Cities
1:00 Vozdovac v. Napredak
1:00 Valerenga v. Rosenborg [M]
Monday, May 10th
Tuesday, May 11th
7:30 Red Bull Bragantino v. Emelec [Copa Sudamerica]
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