Splash Passes Key Test
ANAHEIM — The resolve in their faces before the game was clear, and after losing twice to Seattle this season, the statement Splash players wanted to make was evident.
“We owe them one,” forward Bernie Lilavois said. “We’ve been talking about it all week. This is the most emotional game of the year.”
Said defender John O’Brien: “I think everyone understands right now [Seattle] is the team to beat.”
After Sunday’s 5-4 victory over Seattle in front of an announced crowd of 6,632 at the Pond, the Splash may be fashioning itself into the team to beat in the Western Division, if not the Continental Indoor Soccer League.
The Splash (5-3) won for the fourth time in five games, giving up only 3.8 goals per game during that span. The Splash trails first-place Sacramento (7-2) by 1 1/2 games; the teams play Saturday at Arco Arena.
Second-place Seattle (7-3) has lost three in a row and plays the Splash two more times this season.
“That’s why we didn’t get wrapped up in the standings,” Lilavois said after scoring two goals and an assist. “That’s why we wanted to make a statement to Seattle tonight--not Sacramento. Their 7-0 start was great, but it takes more than a 7-0 start.
“We’re the team to beat; we’ve won the division two of the last three years. And now we need to send that message to Sacramento.”
The Splash had another outstanding defensive performance in front of goalkeeper Ruben Fernandez (16 saves, 4.47 goals-against average). It shut out the SeaDogs in the first half--the first time Seattle was scoreless in a half since June 26, 1996.
Meanwhile, O’Brien staked the Splash to a 1-0 lead 3 minutes 20 seconds into the game, just moments after John Olu Molomo was called for a boarding penalty against O’Brien that led to a heated confrontation between Splash captain Doug Neely and Molomo.
O’Brien’s goal was only the fourth in 15 power-play opportunities. The Splash was the second-worst power-play unit in the league (21.4%), and it scored against the league’s second-best penalty killing unit (76.7%).
The Splash took a 2-0 lead early in the second quarter when Lilavois turned a long pass from goalkeeper Ruben Fernandez into an unexpected goal. Lilavois, going one-on-two, turned his defender and rifled the ball from 25 feet inside the left post against Juan De La O, who had a 4.02 goals-against average.
It was the second-lowest scoring half in CISL history.
When Seattle did score in the third quarter, Lilavois and player-coach Dale Ervine answered each time within three minutes with goals that provided a 4-2 lead going into the fourth quarter.
It was Ervine’s first goal in three games, his sixth of the season. It was Lilavois’ team-high 13th.
Though Molomo kicked in a loose ball to make it a one-point game midway in the fourth, the Splash showed the patient, unselfish play that has marked this current streak of success.
Going one-on-three, Lilavois waited for Barber to swing to the outside, where Barber scored from 35 feet on a left-footed blast and a 5-3 lead.
Seattle scored a short-handed goal in the final minute.
“We’ve always believed in ourselves and the hard work is starting to pay off,” said O’Brien, who had a goal and assist. “As long as we keep up this defensive performance, good things are going to happen.”
