Freezz 11, Mexico 1
Any thoughts that Team Mexico would be a pushover were temporarily put on hold after the Central Americans came out aggressively. Despite Team Mexico's early attacking, Freezz striker Wes Sechrist scored the quarter's only goal.Things got ugly for Team Mexico as Beau Brown scored two power play goals -- both of which came after an increasingly porous defense misplayed Freezz crosses. Utah scored three more goals before a tumbling Norberto Salvidar scored for Mexico with four seconds left in the half.
While Team Mexico ferociously attacked the Freezz net, especially during two frantic power plays, it would be in vain as the Freezz countered by extending their lead by another five goals. Brown notched two of them while Kevin Henderson scored his first of the year.
Team Mexico staged an all-out attack in search of consolation goals, but Freezz goalkeeper Stuart Dobson protected his net, thanks to poor finishing by the Mexicans and some superb lunging saves. Neither team managed a goal in the quarter.
Following two extremely tough matches against Sacramento and Arizona, the blow-out win was just what the Freezz needed, especially since Friday night's game was the last of a five-game homestand. The Freezz now hit the road for a two-game trip to Houston and Monterrey, a trip that Freezz coach Dave Poggi said will be like "going into a hornet's nest." With the easy win, the Freezz were able to rest several key players for the trip while also moving into a tie for first place with Sacramento, whom the Freezz defeated 6-4 on August 21.
Records: Utah 4-1. Mexico 0-5
Next up: September 4, Utah at Houston, 6 p.m.
Beau Brown scored four goals and assisted on three others, earning himself seven points. In 32 games last year with Lafayette and Dallas, Brown totaled five points. Brown was often in the right place at the right time, receiving excellent service from his teammates and scoring off Mexico's defensive miscues.
Freezz 11, Mexico 1
Mexico 0 1 0 1 -- 1
Utah 1 5 5 0 -- 11
First Quarter--1, Utah, Sechrist (Wescott) 9:10.
Second Quarter--2, Utah, Sh. Jones (Brown) 1:15. 3, Utah, Labrum (Wescott) 3:34. 4, Utah, Brown (Unassisted) 10:54. 5, Utah, Edgerton (Brown), 13:15. 6, Utah, Brown (Sh. Jones), 14:47. 7, Mexico, Salvidar (Najera), 14:56.
Third Quarter -- 8, Utah, Alba (Brown), 1:40. 9, Utah, Brown (Sechrist), 6:22. 10, Utah, Henderson (Edgerton), 8:36. 11, Utah, Labrum (Dobson), 11:06. 12, Utah, Brown (Huber), 14:38.
Fourth Quarter -- None.
Shots on goal
Mexico 5 4 15 12 -- 36
Utah 7 15 9 6 -- 3
7 Power play opportunities--Brazil 0-3; Utah 2-2.
Goalies--Mexico, Resano (37 shots, 16 saves, 10 blocks); Utah, Dobson (36 shots, 13 saves, 22 blocks).
Attendance: -- 7,371.
"Scoring for [Brown] is an added bonus . . . Goals like those come to guys who work hard."
Dave Poggi, Freezz coach on Brown's goals -- Shane McCammon