SLP Orioles Sweep Armstrong Falcons

Playing their final games before the Labor Day weekend, the St. Louis Park Oriole soccer teams hosted a doubleheader against the Armstrong Falcons Wednesday night with the boys shutting out the Falcons 1-0 and the girls with two goals in both halves to beat Armstrong 4-1.

First up was the boys game and one goal was all that was needed for Alex Ruiz-Shimada, who scored the eventual game winner with 11:37 left in regulation time to beat the Armstrong Falcons 1-0.

Neither team would erase the red zeros from the scoreboard in the first half as outstanding defense prevented any balls from entering the net.  Oriole goalkeeper Beau Finley made several outstanding saves including a shot from Hassan Hassan.  The Falcon defense was just as tough, playing close to several orange jerseys.

In the second half, St. Louis Park would finally solve the stiff Armstrong defense.  Nick Riley's corner kick headed toward the right side of the goal and Ruiz-Shimada headed the ball past the goal line to end the scoreless battle that would also be the only goal of the game.

The Orioles won their fourth consecutive game to improve their record to 4-0.  They have outscored their opponents 8-2.  St. Louis park travels to New Prague to take on the Trojans on Tuesday, September 3 at 7 PM.  The Falcons fell to 1-2 and have only scored two goals in three games this season.  They will also be in action on the 3rd as they head to Fridley to face the Totino-Grace Eaglss in a 7 PM start.

Now to the girls game.  It wouldn't be a rough night for Lola Ruff and Aliviah McClinton as they scored two goals apiece to beat the Armstrong Falcons 4-1.

The Orioles got on the board when Ruff's lined shot bounced off the crossbar and landed in the net.  But the Falcons struck back quickly on Sarah Osborne's goal :19 later to tie the game at one.  Then it would be McClinton's turn to aid St. Louis Park's offensive surge.  First, she made a cross pass to ruff and sent it to the net to regain the lead.  McClinton, who also is a member of the Oriole girls lacrosse team would line the ball across the goal line :24 later to give St. Louis Park a 3-1 halftime lead.

St. Louis Park would add a goal to their ledge in the second half when Katie Casey passed to McClinton and she fired the ball into the goal with 9:12 left to end the scoring.

The Orioles improved their record to 2-0-2.  It was the second straight game they have scored four goals.  They will return to action on Thursday, September 5 as they head down Highway 212 to Chaska to face the Hawks at 5 PM.  The Falcons fell to 0-3.  It hasn't easy for the Plymouth based Falcons to hit their offensive stride, outscored in three games 16-2.  They resume play on Tuesday, September 3, heading to Fridley for a 5 PM game against the Totino-Grace Eagles.