Espana, Flores lead Pirates over HV

Mail Tribune

September 29, 2012

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GRANTS PASS — The Phoenix Pirates dug themselves an early hole in Skyline Conference play last season. They've managed to avoid a similar trap this season.

Eli Espana had two goals and an assist and Ezequiel Flores had a goal and an assist as Phoenix bolted out to a 3-0 halftime lead en route to a 4-1 road victory over rival Hidden Valley.

The win improves the Pirates to 3-1-1 overall and 2-0 in Skyline play, while the Mustangs fell to 2-2-1 and 0-2.

"We needed to get off on a good start because the race for the conference title is a bit of a street fight," Phoenix coach Dennis Flenner said, "so it was a good win."

Espana gave the Pirates the early lead when he took a pass from Flores in the box and scored from close range to give Phoenix a 1-0 lead only three minutes into the game.

In the 20th, Espana added his second goal when he took a pass from Jose Alegria then dribbled past a defender and the goalkeeper for an easy tap-in score.

Ten minutes later, Flores controlled a nice pass from Espana and went far post from 10 yards out to give the Pirates more breathing room.

Hidden Valley's Ian Hernandez scored on a penalty kick in the 59th to help the Mustangs avoid the shutout, and Phoenix's Jose Mendez headed in Alegria's corner in the 69th for the final score.