ST. LOUIS, MO (July 8, 2010) – AC St. Louis, playing in the USSF Division 2 Pro League, tied the Vancouver Whitecaps 1-1 on Thursday night In Vancouver, British Columbia. AC St. Louis’ record now stands at 2-8-3 after 13 games in league play. The goals and the drama came late in the match as St. Louis held the league leading Whitecaps to a draw for the second time in the past two weeks. Mark Bloom’s first goal of the year gave St. Louis a late 1-0 lead, but Vancouver was able to make a come back as they kept up relentless pressure in the games final minutes to pull even.

Luke Kreamalmeyer generated the first chance for St. Louis in the 17th minute as he dribbled in from his left wing position to the goal line. Kreamalmeyer looked to pass first, but eventually struck a quick shot that Vancouver goalkeeper Jay Nolly did well to block. The shot came after Vancouver had several good chances in the opening 15 minutes, but none that they could ultimately turn into a shot on goal.

Alec Dufty came up big for St. Louis with a late save in the first half. A Blake Wagner effort from 24-yards tested Dufty, who was able to knock the shot down. Dufty was able to cover his own rebound as he kept the Whitecaps at bay. St. Louis continued to absorb a lot of pressure from Vancouver throughout the first half, but the AC defense remained organized and defended an onslaught as they took the 0-0 score line into halftime.

Vancouver opened the second half with a shot from range, but Phil Davies effort just sailed slightly over the top of the crossbar. Jeff Cosgriff nearly put St. Louis ahead in the 71st minute when he connected with a Gauchinho cross, but Jay Nolly was there for Vancouver with another great save. The counter-punching by AC St. Louis would pay off seconds later. Mark Bloom converted the resulting corner with a fine header past Nolly for his first career goal and a 1-0 AC St. Louis lead.

Vancouver threw everything they had forward for the remaining minutes, and Martin Nash nearly equalized with a low shot from outside the top of the 18-yard box in the 77th minute. Greg Janicki sent a header off a corner just wide in the 85th minute as Vancouver searched for an equalizer. They would find it just a minute later as Randy Edwini-Bonsu got behind the St. Louis defense and onto the end of a long ball to knot the game at 1-1.

AC St. Louis returns home this Saturday night for a July 10 match against the Montreal Impact. Tickets are still available and can be obtained by calling 1-888-STL-GOAL, or by visiting www.ac-stlouis.com.

AC St. Louis at Vancouver Whitecaps – U.S.S.F Division II Pro League
July 8, 2010 – Swangard Stadium, Vancouver, British Columbia

SCORING SUMMARY:
STL 71st minute Bloom (assisted by Kreamalmeyer)
VAN 87th minute Edwini-Bonsu

LINEUPS:
STL: Dufty; Bloom, Bauer, Traynor, Velten; Cole, Kreamalmeyer, Cosgriff, Gauchinho; Kafedzic, Salvaggione