Aaron Paye starred on Sunday evening, scoring two goals in the
Minnesota Thunder’s important 2-0 victory over the Richmond Kickers
on Sunday at James Griffin Stadium.

The win put the Thunder (6-9-10, 28 points) within two points of the
Atlanta Silverbacks for the sixth and final playoff spot in the USL
First Division.

“The defense was tough,” Thunder coach Buzz Lagos said. “One win can
really turn things around, as now we’re right back in a spot for the
playoffs.

“We’re playing well. Everyone on our squad is contributing.”

The Thunder had numerous first-half chances on goal. In the 15th
minute, forward Johnny Menyongar cut inside to beat a Kickers
defender in the left side of the 18-yard box and took a shot that
hit the side netting of the goal. Three minutes later, Jeff Matteo
played a free kick from 25 yards out to Nathan Knox, who headed the
ball just wide of the goal.

The Kickers (10-8-8, 38 points) best scoring chance in the first
half came in the 31st minute. Richie Williams dribbled inside the 18-
yard box and took a hard shot on goal that Thunder goalie Joe Warren
had to make a diving save to punch out of the net.

In the 48th minute, Matteo played the ball on the ground to Paye
inside of the 18-yard box. Paye turned and scored on a perfect shot
that sailed to the lower left corner to give the Thunder a 1-0 lead.

Three minutes later in the 51st, Jay Alberts played a ball in the
air that got behind the Richmond defense from the right side of the
field. Paye ran onto the ball for a breakaway and shot past Richmond
keeper Ronnie Pascale to give the Thunder a 2-0 lead.

Warren came up with a huge save in the 62nd minute to preserve the
Thunder shutout. A Richmond player shot a diving header on goal
after a crossed ball. Warren made a one-handed diving save to tip
the ball over the goalpost.

“That was an incredible save,” Thunder coach Buzz Lagos said. “It
was the save of the season, and maybe even the save of his
(Warren’s) career.”

Midfielder Freddy Juarez was held out of the match to prevent him
from getting another yellow card and having to serve a three game
suspension. Lagos wanted to make sure he was available for this
weekend’s games, when the Thunder play at Montreal and at Toronto.


The Thunder’s final home game is on Saturday, September 10 at 7:05
p.m. against the Atlanta Silverbacks. The game will mark Lagos’
final regular season home game as Thunder head coach, and he would
like to invite anybody that he has come into contact with over his
coaching career to join him and the Thunder for “Lagos Family and
Friends Night.” For tickets, call 651-917-TEAM, or visit online at
www.mnthunder.com.

Starting Lineups:
Richmond: Pascalle; Knight (Pauls 84), Fox, T. Williams, Luzak;
Brown, R. Williams (Delicate 59), Burke, Goerres; Cephas (Jeffrey
72), Worthen (Carrieri 59)

Minnesota:Warren; Knox, Wilson, C. Dombrowski; Alberts (Lara 84), T.
Dombrowski, Schmidt, Tenoff, Matteo (Brisson 88); Menyongar
(Friedland 57), Paye (Branan 75)

Minnesota substitutions not used: Hargis, Yang, Platter

Game Summary:
Scoring Summary:

MIN: Paye 48 (Matteo)
MIN: Paye 51 (Alberts)

Game Statistics:

Richmond: Shots: 13, Fouls: 15, Offside: 10, Corners: 5
Minnesota: Shots: 8, Fouls: 9, Offside: 5, Corners: 3

Goalkeeper Statistics:

Pascalle (Portland):Shots faced: 8, Saves: 0, Goals allowed: 2
Warren (Minnesota): Shots faced: 13, Saves: 4, Goals allowed: 0

Cautions:

RIC: Worthen 24
MIN: T. Dombrowski 28
RIC: Fox 49
RIC: Cephas 67