Cleveland City Stars News Release - www.clevelandcitystars.com

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

CLEVELAND, OH -- The Cleveland City Stars advanced to the Second Round of the U.S. Open Cup with a 3-0 victory over the visiting St. Louis Lions Tuesday night at Middlefield Cheese Stadium. Ryan Stewart led the way for Cleveland with a goal and two assists.

The City Stars will face the winner of the Rochester Rhinos and Pittsburgh Riverhounds match next Tuesday June 16th.

In the 26th minute Ricardo Pierre-Louis received a pass on the left sideline with his back to the goal nearly 30-yards out. Pierre-Louis controlled the ball and made a nice move back to the inside before settling into a right footed shot. The shot was blocked and spun out of bounds setting up a corner kick.

On the ensuing corner, Pato Aguilera sent a magnificent cross into the box that was headed home by Ryan Stewart in the 27th minute to give the City Stars a 1-0 lead.

In the 34th minute Stewart made a run up the right sideline and cut back into the box before dropping it off through traffic to an open Pierre-Louis. St. Louis keeper Brenton Saylor deflected the ball but the shot had enough to roll in for a 2-0 City Stars lead.

In the 68th minute Stewart was back at it as he placed another perfect cross into the box. Rookie midfielder Steve Gillespie was there to touch it in past Brenton to give the City Stars the 3-0 lead. It was the first professional goal for the native of Brecksville, Ohio.

Local product Evan Bush made his first home start. The rookie out of Lake Catholic and the University of Akron was up to the challenge in the shutout as Bush finished the match with four saves.

The City Stars are back into league play Saturday at 7 p.m. against the Rochester Rhinos at Middlefield Cheese Stadium. Tickets are available by visiting www.clevelandcitystars.com or by calling 330-425-2003.

QUOTES:
Evan Bush:
“It’s great to get the first victory at home. Regardless of whether it’s the league or the Open Cup, it’s always great to get that first victory here. We scored some goals and kept the clean sheet, so everything went well. Next week we’re playing a good side, either Rochester or Pittsburgh, and whoever we end up playing we have to bring a lot of energy and focus to play well.”

Ryan Stewart:
“It’s just another day on the job. I did what I had to do, and that is what is required of this game so I was thankful to get the assists and also the score. I believe we will continue to rise. Next week we have to win. We’re not looking for the draw or a loss, we are looking for the win.”

Steve Gillespie:

"It was a great game. It was awesome scoring my first goal. It felt unbelievable and I've got to give a lot of credit to the guys. Ryan (Stewart) played me a great ball and I was there and just did what had to be done, and I think really that's what everyone did today; they just got the job done. I know that this is a solid start and that it's only getting better."