By: Bryan Giese
Torrent Win 5-2 In Friendly Over Croatian Eagles SC
The Milwaukee Torrent men last walked off the turf at Hart Park having pouring everything they could into their first match of the season against Detroit City FC. Saturday night they played their first match since then. They seemed to have a bit of a hangover from that match to open the friendly, but they worked through their issues to come out on top of the Croatian Eagles, 5-2.
The Eagles took the pitch with confidence and a desire to play the role of spoiler in the Saturday evening friendly. They challenged Milwaukee across the pitch and pressured the backline with runs up the wings that were converted into quality chances.
Amilcar Herrera would finish two chances in the first 24 minutes, to give the visiting club the early lead. But the Torrent would not go away quietly. Proving what has been said about them all season; Milwaukee never put their heads down or gave up.
Mayberry, Wiedabach Jump Start Torrent Comeback
Michael Mayberry would get the Torrent going in the right direction in the 30 minute. Andrew Wiedabach would place a perfect cross to the far post leaving it in a place only Mayberry could get to it. He would layout and head the ball past the Croatian goalkeeper.
“It felt really good,” stated Mayberry. “We knew we were the better side. We started out a little slowly not finishing our chances in the beginning of the game, going down 0-2. I just wanted to get us on the right track by putting us on the board early enough to keep our confidence high. After that, things took care of themselves.”
The confidence level was visibly increased for the Torrent as they would convert just 7 minutes later. This time it would be Andrew Wiedabach taking the goal credit himself. He would find himself in familiar territory on the left wing about 3 yards outside the box. This time instead of playing a cross, he would take a touch to the inside, find some space and deliver a strike into the top corner for the games equalizer.
Second Half Goals, Great Saves Lead Torrent
Milwaukee would come out strong in the second half. Able to play their style of possession, the Torrent would build out of the back, funneling most of their attacking through defender Daniel Chamale. It would be midfielder Tony Patterson that would net the eventual game winner in the 61 minute. Isaac Pererya, who would hit a post in the 55 minute, would add two more tallies in the 80 and 84 minutes.
Tony Anderson would get the start in net for the Torrent on Saturday. After the two early goals from the Croatian squad, Anderson would come up big on the few remaining chances the Torrent defense would allow. He would manage the field and be the presence his club needed from their goalkeeper.
“It was so fun,” exclaimed Anderson after the match, when asked about his playing time. “To be able to have your named announced and be holding a kids hand walking out on the field was one of the coolest things I’ve done. The result was great, and hopefully we can carry this momentum into our last two league matches.”
“I was really happy with the pressure we put on their backline,” expressed Head Coach Andy Davi, “the chances we created and our play over the flanks.”
