The 2018 Spring Season Opener did not disappoint as it had drama tense moments 4 yellow cards a red card, player down with injury and the Storm settled with an even 2-2 draw.

After New Castle United FC, Michael Barbeilo picked up the seasons first goal in the 5th minute of play from the 18-yard line with a hard shot from the right side, a ball with lots of moment and completely deceived Storm’s Shot Stopper Kyle Cunningham.

It was just 8 minutes later when Storm’s Gerardo Espinoza even things a one apiece on a restart after he was fouled. Taking his own restart Espinoza picked up his first on the season.

Storm came on quick and started applying pressure and just four minutes later Storm Captain Brett Croft from the right seen striker Christian Esnal up in front of the net from the far right side placed a perfect pass to the head of Esnal who did what he does best and headed the ball past New Castle United FC Keeper Jorge Dettoria to put the Storm up by one.

The second half was about even but with the Storm playing with a one-goal advantage the visitors really started to apply pressure and the Storm held them back, then when on the attack with a breakaway Storm Center Back Francisco Osuna behind the attacker grabbed the player and was issued a straight red for the last man and preventing a goal scoring opportunity. A restart was called, and Storm Keeper quickly extinguished any threat.

Storm still with the lead but down by a man maintain the aggressive attack and on the run in the 75th minute of play Storm Gerardo Espinoza who with the first goal for the Storm went down with an injury.
(Storm Doctor Christopher M. Tsai, D.C., C.C.S.P was on site and said it was a sever crap in the upper thigh).

Santa Clarita now down by two and no subs left available, New Castle United really started putting on the pressure and the Storm fought them off and held them back until in the 80th minute New Castle United’s Norberto Agudelo managed to break through the Storm defense and once again bring the game even.

With the Storm down by two and now even the team was forced to play defensively as New Castle knew the advantage they had and like any good team set out to take advantage of it, but had the settle for a draw and a point each.

Storm Goals Scored Espinoza, Esnal
Assist: Brett Croft
Keeper Saves – 11 shots faced 13
Fouls -Croft, Sanchez, Barkawi, Zalamea, Osuna (2), Nunes (2) Torres, Cardenas
Cards Yellow- Sanchez, Espinoza, Zalamea, Nunes RED- Osuna
New Castle United FC
Goals – Dettoria, Agudelo

Santa Clarita will now travel next to face the LA Wolves FC. Time and location to be announced.