BATTALION FALL AT HOME TO TEMECULA FC

The North County Battalion (2-2-1) dropped today’s game against Temecula FC (1-2-1) by a score of 3-2.

The Battalion lit up the scoreboard early behind two goals by Nelson Pizarro in the first half, unfortunately, those were the only times they were able to find the net.

In the 17th minute, Pizarro received a through ball down the middle of the field and raced toward goal. When two defenders caught up to him he stopped in the box and fought off the defense and the keeper to control possession. Pizarro then slid the ball passed the keeper and into the net for a 1-0 Battalion lead.

Ten minutes later Pizarro put the Battalion up 2-0 on a penalty kick. The penalty kick was set up when the Battalion played a header into the box to a streaking Brandon Zuniga. A Temecula defender was caught in no man’s land and stopped the ball with an outstretched hand. Pizarro slotted the ball to the left side of the net that was vacated when the goalie dove to the right.

Temecula FC then turned the game around when they scored two goals within two minutes right before halftime.

James Hone-Blanchett put the visiting side back in the game in the 40th minute when his shot beat James Stroud high over his head. Blanchett’s goal cut the Battalion lead to one and revitalized the visiting Quails.

Less than two minutes later Temecula FC tied the game on a goal off a long throw-in. Temecula centered the ball on the throw and Stroud came out and punched the ball out of the box. The ball found the foot of Steven Lambert, who kicked it into the net.

Both teams played the game level until the 82nd minute when the Battalion was called for a penalty on a foul that appeared to be outside the box. The referee called for a penalty kick and Santiago Warren placed the kick in the back of the net to give Temecula FC the deciding goal.

Next week the Battalion will host San Diego Zest at 4 p.m. at Del Norte High School in a non-league matchup.