Ravens surprise Sailers with shutout

Alonso broke open a scoreless tie with two second-half goals, shocking Sarasota 2-0.

By SCOTT ROSCOVIUS Times Correspondent
Published February 2, 2007

SARASOTA - Alonso broke open a scoreless tie with two second-half goals, shocking Sarasota 2-0 on Thursday. Julio Perez scored both of the Ravens' goals - his 23rd and 24th of the season - but it was Alonso's defense against the taller, more physical Sailors that drew coach Ray DiPompo's praise.

"To shut that team out here is a great feat for our team," DiPompo said.

With the prevailing wind halting Alonso's downfield attack, the Ravens (17-5-1) instead packed their defense in front of keeper Nick Hall and effectively squelched penetration from the wings. The few times the Sailors (22-3-2) managed to break through, they either shot high or wide or Hall made the save.

With the wind at their backs after intermission, Alonso's speed and precise passing began to pay dividends. In the 49th minute, Perez took a through ball from Juan Arbelaez on the right wing and beat Sarasota keeper Josh Zimmer low to the opposite post. Then, during stoppage time, Perez struck again, taking a pass from Simon Gomez, threading his way through a pair of defenders to score.

Perez, stifled in the first half, stretched Sarasota's defense with his second-half runs deep into Sailors' territory.

[Last modified February 2, 2007, 00:00:17]