Crunch Puts Out Inferno 17-6 In Opener

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The return of Cleveland to the world of indoor soccer was an overwhelming success tonight as the Cleveland Crunch defeated the Colorado Inferno 17-6 in front of a sold-out crowd in North Olmsted at the Sportsplex. Ryan Minnick had four goals while Mikey Derezic and Ma’Cain Spragling had 3 each to lead the Crunch as the team scored early and often in this one.

The Crunch scored multiple goals in every quarter and then used a stifling defense in the second half to put the Inferno away for good.  The Crunch held the Inferno to just 1 goal in the final two quarters of action.  For indoor soccer, that is almost unheard of. It was a physical but very good night for Crunch goalkeeper Marijo Musa.

I spoke with Mikey Derezic after the match who had this to say about why the Crunch were able to pull away with the big win, “We found the groove, we’ve been together for about a month and a half, and I think that we are finding our ways.  It showed in the second when they dropped off and we took advantage of it. We don’t mind the physical play, bring it on.”

He went on to describe why it is so natural when he shares the pitch with Admir Suljevic, someone who has been playing with for years, “It’s as natural as it gets, we’ve been playing together since 1998 and we hope to continue that with the Crunch.”

Mikey D also spoke about the transaction to a new head coach with Lou Kastelic, someone who he played for with the Cleveland Legacy a few years back, “We’ve known Lou basically our whole lives, I think it is a great fit.”

It was a great first night complete with luminaries Mark Munch Bishop and Brian Weaver calling the game, while Hector Marinaro was spotted in the crowd as well.  A personal congrats to owners Luciano Ruscitto and Eric Davis.  The night went off without a hitch and they have a real winner on their hands.

The two teams hook it up again tomorrow at 2pm at the North Olmsted Soccerplex.  For only $12, you cannot find a better ticket in town.

The key to victory for the Crunch was their ability answer every Inferno score almost instantly with one of their own.  This was the case to start the game when after Colorado’s free kick score by Armando Gonzalez was answered with back to back goals by Minnick and David Jordan from the Crunch.

Then, after Jack Reynolds scored to tie it at two at the 5:32 mark, Mikey D answered again with a goal to make it 3-2 Crunch.  Cleveland would get one more from Derezic in the closing moments of the opening quarter to make it 4-2 Crunch after one.

It was Minnick scoring again to open the second quarter off of a full field pass from Musa to extend the lead to 5-2.  After Darwin Dejesus cut the lead to 5-3 the Crunch exploded with three straight goals.  It was leader Tom Beck making it 6-3.  Then after a timeout, Ma’Cain Spragling quickly made it 7-3 before Admir Suljevic who is known for the best free kick in the game, made one, to make it 8-3 with 4:14 to go In the second quarter.

The Crunch wasn’t done yet, and answered a Colorado goal from Marcus Jordan with a Mikey D hat trick to make it 9-4.  Ma’Cain would then score again to make it 10-4, seconds after, he ran up the boards and did a full back flip to the delight of the packed house. A Jack Reynolds goal would then cut it to 10-5, but it was all Crunch as they headed to the half.

Any chance at an Inferno comeback was squashed for good as the Crunch scored 5 goals in the first 12 minutes of the second half to put it away for good.  The goals coming on a Hat Trick from Minnick, one by Sami Skills Mutemwa, another one from Admir, a power play goal by Minnick and the Hat Trick from Ma’Cain.  The Inferno would cut it to 15-6 at the tail end of the third, but by then, it was too little too late.

The Crunch would finish things for good in the fourth with a 5 on 3 Power Play goal from David Jordan.  Chris Cvecko would finish the scoring at 17-6 a few minutes later.