The Thunder Bay Chill regained their confidence and heated up a hometown crowd handing the Des Moines Menace a 2-0 loss Friday night for its home-opener at Chapples Soccer Park .
The Chill outshot and outplayed their Heartland division rivals, dominating the first half and scoring two unanswered goals, including a penalty kick in extra time to freeze Des Moines chances and improving their record to 2-1.
Chill forward Brandon Swartzendruber, who scored both goals Friday, said it was the first time this season the Chill played an all-around effort. It felt good to get a win after the loss to WSA Winnipeg last weekend.
"It was definitely nice to get this win under our belts and kind of get the monkey off our back and just get our confidence back and know that we’re a team that can compete," Swartzendruber said.
Swartzendruber opened the scoring after 30 minutes into the first half finding an empty net with a sliding pass from Nolan Intermoia.
The Chill kept the pressure on Des Moines with several huge chances that were just wide or stopped by Menace goal keeper Phil Boerger.
"We were just all over them," said Swartzendruber. "We just have to keep that intensity up and keep winning the 50-50 balls and eventually they’ll fall in the net."
Chill coach Tony Colistro coach said he wanted the team to come out strong at the beginning of the game and get the win. He said as long as the team keeps the pressure on, the goals will come.
"That happens all the time, as long as you can create a lot of opportunities, whether it’s one or two (goals), as long as you get the three points that’s what’s important," Colistro said.
The second goal came in extra time in the first half when the Chill were awarded a penalty kick. Swartzendruber put the ball straight up the middle as Broeger dove right, bringing the crowd to its feet.
Although the second half was scoreless, it wasn’t without its chances for both teams.
Des Moines’ best chance came at 68 minutes when Bryan Perez tried to re-direct a pass into the net but Chill keeper Steve Paterson kept the ball out and his shut-out alive.
The Chill play Des Moines again Saturday at Chapples Soccer Park. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
