PPL Score 4/17 - Last Game

Aces 3 - Valencia 2

This was the last game of the regular season, and fittingly it matched the two teams that made the jump from Group 2 to Group 1 in the Spring. Neither team had been able to scratch out a win against the top 8 teams from the Fall, but both teams were very competitive, with Valencia managing two ties and Aces three ties.

When the teams met last Fall, the game ended in a 1-1 tie. so this game was important for both teams to try and post a win and earn bragging rights. It was a very even, aggressively-played game and it was evident from the start that both teams had improved dramatically since they last met. Valencia scored first, a strong shot from just inside the box that made the score 1-0 at halftime. The Aces coach must have lit a fire under the team at halftime, because they came out like gangbusters, scoring just two minutes into the second half to tie it. They added two more goals in the next ten minutes to go up 3-1, and seemed to be well in control of the game.

However, to their credit, Valencia never gave up. They hit the crossbar on a great shot with about 10 minutes to play. Then, a nice cross and header brought them to within 3-2 with just six minutes left. Valencia never really threatened in the last few minutes, as Aces made good clearances and kept the ball in their offensive end for most of the rest of the game.

Congrats to both teams for a well-played game. If the summer treats them well, both teams should be in line for a shot at the Challenge Tourney next year.