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By Brigade staff writer-Matthew Martz

After shutting out the Fresno Fuego 2-0 on June 10, the Fuego heated up the pitch scoring three goals in the second half, shutting out the Brigade 3-0 on Friday in front of 1,243 at BCHS Stadium.

The Brigade opened the first half of play with two shots on goal in the first two minutes. From there the match settled into a rhythm that saw both clubs sharing equal periods of possession.

The Fuego (4-4-4) got their first scoring opportunity at the nine-minute mark when Santiago Aguilera just missed giving Fresno and early lead on a shot just wide of the far post.

Again Fresno would get an opportunity to take the lead when Fuego striker Tyler Reinhart flicked a header just over the crossbar at the 26-minute mark, just inside the 6-yard box.

The Brigade received their best scoring chance in the closing minutes of the first half when Jacob Hustedt fed a pass to the speedy Wes Feighner who slipped behind the Fuego back line and punched a shot wide of Fresno keeper Ryan Kenny.

The Fuego would break the deadlock just seconds into the second half when Paul Islas scored on a serve from Orlando Ramirez just inside the Brigade area passed an outstretched Victor Chinchilla, giving Fresno a 1-0 advantage.

Five minutes late Fresno’s Islas threaded a pass to Tyler Reinhart who dribbled up the far touchline into the Brigade area, beating Chinchilla just inside the far post, to increase their lead 2-0.
Reinhart inflicted the final blow, scoring his second of the night on a beautiful sliding shot off an uncontrolled save by Chinchilla at the 57–minute mark.

Brigade keeper Victor Chinchilla (3.17 GAA) faced 13 shots making six saves while Fuego keeper Ryan “Rhino” Kenny (1.75 GAA), made two saves on six shots and posted his second clean sheet of the season.

The Brigade (2-8-2) increased their winless streak to four with Friday’s loss to the Fuego, scoring just one goal in their last four matches, and have dropped to ninth place in the Premiere Development League Southwest Division just four points ahead of the last place Ogden Outlaws.

The Brigade will play their final home game of the 2009 season against the Lancaster Rattlers on July 10. Kick off will be at 7:30 p.m.

For more information, including ticket information contact the Brigade Corporate office at 410 KICK (4625) or by visiting www.bakersfieldbrigade.com.