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| West Texas A&M's Ragan Young tries to maneuver around two Dallas Sidekicks defenders during a soccer exhibition Tuesday at the WT Soccer Complex. (Julia Adkisson/Globe-News) |
Web posted 8/27/97/reprinted with permission on 1/30/2002
By DREW BUTLER
Globe-News Sports Writer
It's a different part of the sidelines and a different team for Beau Brown.
Last season, Brown played on the soccer pitch at West Texas A&M. On Tuesday night, he suited up with the Dallas Sidekicks of the Continental Indoor Soccer League.
The two teams tied 2-2 in front of 1,150 fans in an exhibition at the WT Soccer Complex.
It was WT's first action of the year before the regular season opens later this week. Dallas took a break from its CISL schedule after playing Sacramento at Reunion Arena on Sunday.
For Brown, it was his first game back at the WT, and to celebrate, he opened up the scoring with a goal in the 25th minute after slipping the ball under diving Buff goalkeeper Emile Unverzagt.
``It was great to go out there and put them to the test,'' Brown said. ``I'm glad it ended up 2-2, so there are no bragging rights.''
Dallas got a second goal late in the first half after Isreal Rojas, who assisted on Brown's goal, scored in the 44th minute.
In his first season with the Sidekicks, Brown has four goals, two assists and 25 blocks, has started five games and has played in all 21 regular-season games.
``It's really been amazing,'' he said. ``As a rookie, when you step in and being asked to do things is great. Going through the program at West Texas A&M really helped me and made me into the player I am today.''
After a 20-goal career for the Buffs, Brown was drafted in the fourth round by the Sidekicks.
``For a first-year rookie, Beau has played exceptionally well,'' said Sidekicks coach Gordon Jago. ``When it's all said and done, I think he has a chance for CISL Rookie of the Year.''
At halftime, Brown gave the ball with which he scored his first goal at Reunion Arena to the school.
WT controlled the final 45 minutes of the match and capitalized on a tired Dallas team to score two goals.
``We liked what we saw in the second half,'' said WT soccer coach Butch Lauffer. ``We're just going to keep working with that and get ready for Saturday.
``(The Sidekicks') technical ability is much higher, and they can expose you when you make a mistake,'' he said about playing a pro team such as Dallas.
The Buffs started the scoring in the second half on a deflection by Octavio Heredia off a free kick by Michael Dougan at the 52-minute point.
Jerod Anderson tied the game on a goal from 20 feet away after a long pass from former Amarillo High player Shane Ferrell in the 82nd minute.
``Those 45-minute halves just killed me,'' Brown said. ``We must have been in our half (of the pitch) the entire time. We were tired. There are a lot more short sprints in indoor soccer.''
The top players for the Sidekicks didn't make the trip. Two of the top CISL scorers, forwards Tatu and David Doyle, didn't make the trip because of injuries.
Frank Filo's nine points in 1997 were tops among the Sidekicks who played on Tuesday.
Currently, the Sidekicks reside in fourth place in the CISL Eastern Division, one-half game ahead of Washington.
WT, ranked 13th in the preseason Division II soccer poll, will open its 1997 season against Metro State from Denver at WT on 1 p.m. p.m.
© 1997 Amarillo Globe-News (used with permission)