Vermont Voltage 2-5 MPS Crusaders
Baber's men win third consecutive PDL contest
 

St Albans Vermont, 25th May 2008;  The MPS Cape Cod Crusaders cruised to their third consecutive PDL victory Friday night when they overcame the host Vermont Voltage 5-2 at the Collins Perley Stadium.

Two goals from captain Graham Munro and individual strikes from Chris Banks, Liam Maloney and Yan Klukowski were enough to overcome the host Voltage who had jumped into an early 1-0 lead.

"I am not only delighted with the result but also what I see as the best performance of the season so far," said Crusaders Head Coach Paul Baber. 

Yan Klukowski
netted his third goal of the season

"Vermont are always a well organized outfit and it is very pleasing to walk away with three precious PDL points."

It was the host Voltage who struck first when forward Matt Stedman latched onto a terrific through pass in the 13th minute of play.  The big striker rounded Crusaders keeper Evan Bush before dispatching the ball into the corner of the net from an acute angle.

The goal seemed to kick start the Crusaders into action and they were awarded a penalty kick in the 37th minute when Maloney was pulled down inside the box.  Captain Graham Munro stepped up and dispatched the kick into the back of the net to even the score.

The Crusaders took the lead shortly after when Chris Banks was on hand to scramble the ball into the back of the net in the 40th minute of play amidst a melee in the Voltage penalty area.

After the interval the Crusaders tightened their grip on the game with three goals in a 17 minute span.

Liam Maloney had the simplest of tasks to put the Crusaders 3-1 ahead after Klukowski had beaten the offside trap and unselfishly rolled the ball into his team-mates path to tap home after 55 minutes.

Defender Munro notched his second goal of the contest as he climbed highest to head home a terrific free kick from David Donohue for goal number four in the 66th minute. 

Klukowski rounded out the scoring for the Crusaders as he scrambled home the fifth in the 73rd minute.

There was time for a late consolation as Dan Stevens slotted home a late spot kick to give the home side a small consolation.

"The second half performance was undoubtedly the best from the squad this season," said Baber.  "We set ourselves the target of six points from the week's fixtures and the wins against Rhode Island and Vermont set us up nicely for a very difficult game next week at home to Ocean City Barons."

The Crusaders host the Barons in a 7pm kick off at Mass Maritime Academy on Saturday 31st May. For more information on individual and group ticket packages for the PDL contest please contact Graham Munro at 781 891 6900 ext 38 or gmunro@mpsbr.com

To view brief highlights from the MPS Crusaders v Voltage game please click HERE