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By Matthew Martz, Brigade Staff Writer

The Lancaster Rattlers edged out the Brigade 3-2 in Bakersfield’s final home game of the 2009 season on Friday, July 10 at BCHS Stadium.

The match would get off to rough start for the Brigade, as midfielder Matt O’Sullivan went down hard and would leave the match at the 9-minute mark with an injury to his right knee.

The Rattlers (4-7-3) dominated the first half with extended periods of possession and solid defensive play.

Lancaster opened the scoring at the 13-minute mark when Jose Garay took a pass from Mauricio Harrie and found the back of the net, tucking it just inside the far post and behind Brigade keeper Victor Chinchilla to give the Rattlers an early 1-0 advantage.

The Rattlers received a prime scoring opportunity just seven minutes later when Brigade defender Cameron Walters miscued a clearing pass that ended up on the toe of Jose Garay who fired a shot off the crossbar.

Then, 14 minutes later, Garay (6 G, 2 A, 14 PTS), got his second of the match when he caught up to a loose ball in the area, beating Chinchilla far post making it 2-0 in favor of the Rattlers

The Brigade would narrow the deficit 2-1 at the 43-minute mark when Ken Taylor (2 G, 1 A, 5PTS) scored on a free kick from 24 yards out beating Lancaster keeper Zach Brunner, far post.

The second half of play began much the same way with Lancaster on the attack when at the 58-minute mark, the Brigade’s Esteban Arias would catch up to an arrant clearing pass and in a foot race with a Lancaster defender got dragged down inside the Rattlers box. Lancaster would clear the ball quickly from their area on and on a swift counter attack, scored the eventual game-winner at the 59-minute mark when Mauricio Harrie (7 G, 3 A, 17 PTS) slipped behind the Brigade back line, and after the first shot was turned aside by Chinchilla, took his own rebound and buried it giving the Rattlers a 3-1 lead.

Head Coach Francisco Gomez would be ejected from the match at the 61-minute mark for having a few words with referee Francisco Orozco.

“That play was a real turning point in the match for us,” said Gomez, “Had we gotten the penalty kick we may have tied it, instead they turned the ball around and were able to go up by two goals.”

The Brigade answered back just three minutes later to again pull within one when Adan Arteaga (3G, 6 PTS) took a serve from Heber Mora (1A, 1 PT) and jammed one home past an outstretched Zach Brunner, 3-2.

Bakersfield continued to attack the Rattlers defense but could not find the equalizer.

Adan Arteaga and Jay Gore also received red cards in the closing minutes of the match.

Keeper Zach Brunner (2.36 GAA,) made four saves on five shots while Brigade keeper Victor Chinchilla (3.14 GAA) made five saves on eight shots.

The Brigade (2-9-2) are winless in their last five outings with four consecutive losses.

The Brigade are currently in last place in the PDL Southwest Division, just one point behind the Ogden Outlaws.

Bakersfield will play their remaining three games on the road beginning with a match against the So Cal Seahorses on Saturday, July 11, before heading to Utah to complete the 2009 season with games against the BYU Cougars on July 17 and the Ogden Outlaws on July 18.

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