FireBall experience first defeat
Loss is quickly pushed aside to chalk up draw
A good news/bad news scenario hit the Augusta FireBall last week as the team played two road games in Florida.
On Wednesday, the United Soccer Leagues announced that FireBall striker Freddie Moojen was named the Premier Development League Player of the Week.
One day later, the tide turned as the FireBall lost its first game of the season.
"When you go on the road it's tough," FireBall coach Alec Papadakis said. "The first game we played was over 100 degrees. That's not an excuse, but that team was better than us that particular day. This is a tough league, so you cannot expect to have the same results every time."
Playing in the Florida heat, the FireBall fell 4-2 to the Bradenton Academics on Thursday. On Saturday, the FireBall rebounded with a 1-1 tie against the Central Florida Kraze. The winless weekend did see Moojen extend his Premier Development League-leading scoring streak to 12 goals in 10 games. Moojen's player of the week nod came after scoring three goals and an assist in two wins over Atlanta and Raleigh two weeks ago.
The Clemson University athlete has impressed coaches, teammates and fans all season long.
"What he brings to the team is the most important thing that you could bring: great character," Papadakis said. "This kid combines great character with terrific talent. He's been a great addition to our team. I think we're going to be watching Freddie on TV for years to come."
The FireBall still sit in second place in the South Conference's South Atlantic Division with a comfortable nine-point lead over third-place Atlanta. A gap of eight points separates the FireBall from first-place Carolina (10-0-1).
Despite the weekend's road loss and tie, Papadakis said the team is looking ahead.
"They have their mulligan for this year," he said. "The kids cannot wait to get back to Augusta and play that next game at home.
"There's nothing like being home, and that's the way it should be."
The FireBall will next play division opponent Nashville at home at 7 p.m. Sunday at Patriots Park.