ST. LOUIS, MO (August 29, 2010) – AC St. Louis, playing in the USSF Division-2 Professional League, tied the Tampa Bay Rowdies 2-1 Sunday evening at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa Bay, Florida. St. Louis raises their record to 5-11-8 while keeping their playoff hopes alive.

AC St. Louis grabbed an early 1-0 lead on a disputed goal. Luke Kreamalmeyer carried the ball all the way to the byline after collecting a deep pass from the right back before crossing sharply across the goalmouth. Kreamalmeyer’s efforted deflected off a Tampa defender and into the back of the net. The Rowdies argued that Kreamalmeyer’s ball was over the goal line before he struck it for the cross, but the linesman and referee did not waiver and the goal stood. The goal was credited as own goal.

Mike Ambersley made it 2-0 for St. Louis midway through the first half when he unleashed a rifled shot from 30 plus yards. The goal came off a Tampa Bay turnover in St. Louis’ end that AC quickly countered on with one incisive pass to Amberlsey who found himself with space and time. The goal was his 8th of the year in league play, and 10th overall.

Alec Dufty then went to work to keep the advantage at two. Dufty made back-to-back near point blank reaction saves as Tampa began to find their offensive stride in the later part of the second half. The Rowdies persistence would pay off just before halftime as Jonathan Steele struck for a Tampa opener from just outside the top of the penalty area. Alec Dufty laid out to his right, but Steele’s shot found its way inside the near post.

Dufty was one the scene again at the hour mark as he made yet another point blank save to keep AC St. Louis ahead 2-1. Dufty gave up the rebound, which Tampa pushed wide, but his play to that point frustrated a Tampa team that was bringing the game to St. Louis. Dufty continued that theme for nearly the rest of the game as Tampa threw everything forward in search of an equalizer.

Tampa would find it in extra time off a 70-yard free kick that bounced through the penalty area for Jonathan Steele to bury his second goal of the game. The ball skipped off the turf twice before reaching Steele on the week side far post. St. Louis remains five points out of an eighth and final playoff spot.

AC St. Louis’ next home match is on Sunday afternoon, September 5 at 6:00 p.m. against Miami FC. Tickets are still available and can be obtained by calling 1-888-STL-GOAL, or by visiting www.ac-stlouis.com.