Ayo Adebayo (#20) comes up just short against Demon Hawks keeper Rainer Hauss Pires on Saturday night
Saturday night's home opener was decided on the second to last shot of the game as your Raptors lost a heartbreaker, falling 7-6 to our in-state rivals the Des Moines Demon Hawks.
The Raptors tied the game 6-6 on a late goal, forcing a ten minute overtime. When that failed to break the deadlock, the game went to a hockey-style shootout. Each team chose three players to go one-on-one against the opponent's goalkeeper. Cedar Rapids shot first. Des Moines forward Ricardo Diegues managed to slip in what proved to be the winning goal on the Demon Hawks' second attempt, with Raptors' midfielder Ricky Orozco's final shot barely deflected.
"It's an unusual situation," said Raptors goalie Jesus "Chuy" Ortiz (#18). "You don't expect it to go to a shootout, but in this game you have to be ready for anything. You just have to prepare as hard as you can for whatever comes, and give it your best."
Ortiz turned in a solid performance in net, allowing just six goals in regulation play despite an often furious Demon Hawks attack. But the Raptors matched them shot for shot, scoring six against veteran MASL1 goalkeeper Rainer Hauss Pires. Ayo Adebayo (#20) and Ricky Orozco (#6) led the Raptors with two goals apiece, with Jonah Dancer (#12) and team captain Jake Johnson (#10) each chipping in one. Orozco and Adebayo also had one assist each, with Ronaldo Rojas (#9) contributing two and Pat Kelly (#8) one.
Defender Pat Kelly (#8) discusses Saturday night's loss to the Des Moines Demon Hawks
The hard-fought game featured numerous penalties, including an ejection. Four blue-card penalties resulted in "power plays," with the fouling team forced to play with only four men on the field for two minutes. The Raptors converted one of two power play chances, while Des Moines cashed in on both their opportunities.
Pat Kelly and Chuy Ortiz meet young fans after the game
For those fans who missed the excitement, the full game can be viewed on YouTube, courtesy of our friends at MASL2 (@M2ArenaSoccer):
Your Raptors are back in action this upcoming Sunday afternoon, December 11, versus the Muskegon Risers. Tickets are available online and at the PowerHouse box office.
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