Despite coming in as the defending state champions, returning to the USASA Region III Tournament was not an easy task as Boston Avenue Athletic Club needed to come from behind twice against the Oklahoma University club side. And at the end of the contest, BAAC owed everything to former University of Tulsa striker Ashley McInnes, who tallied all three in a 3-2 victory.
OU wasted no time opening the scoring with a surprising free kick sublimely placed into the side netting from 30 yards out.
It appeared that the game was going to be a wide open affair when BAAC responded a mere six minutes later. McInnes capped the move and notched his first tally of the match.
The frantic pace did settle down and it wasn’t until the 41st minute that the deadlock was again broken. Goalkeeper Dan Mason kept out the initial attempt only to see the rebound neatly slotted home, giving the Sooners the 2-1 lead at the break.
“OU were doing a good job of pressuring in the opening half and with the conditions as poor as they were (40 mph winds), we knew that scoring an early goal in the second half would be crucial” said BAAC coach Justin Cook.
McInnes again answered the call in the 51st minute when Greg Connor’s inch perfect cross found the Scotsman lurking in the penalty area. His clinical finish put the teams back on level terms.
At this point, BAAC began to hit their stride. After several close misses and two top notch saves, McInnes gave his side their first lead of the match in the 72nd minute when he found a bit of space in the Sooners’ box. His strike completed the hat-trick and in doing so, gave the Athletics a lead that was not to be relinquished.
“The lads put in a real sturdy effort in the second half, we were creating chances and it was just a matter of time before we were rewarded,” said McInnes.
McInnes, a trialist with the Chicago Fire after going surprisingly undrafted a year ago, returned to Oklahoma, where he has had his greatest success. The Aberdeen youth product was a star at the University of Tulsa, finishing his career there in 2010 ranked sixth in assists (22), ninth in goals (30) and 10th in points (82) among TU’s all-time career leaders.
“Also, these new boots helped,” he joked.
The victory gives the BAAC their third state title in as many years and a berth in the Region III tournament in Houston.
2012 Oklahoma Open Cup championship
Boston Avenue AC 3:2 Oklahoma University men’s club
South Lakes Soccer Complex – Oklahoma City, OK
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Scoring Summary
OU: #20 3rd minute
BAAC: Ashley McInnes (Matt Thomas) 9th minute
OU: #17 41st minute
BAAC: Ashley McInnes (Greg Connor) 51st minute
BAAC: Ashley McInnes (Corey Albertson) 72nd minute
Lineups
University of Oklahoma: not available
BAAC: GK- Dan Mason, LB- Randy Randolph, CB- Daniel Dittus, CB- Jordan Gaines, RB- Greg Connor, LM- Blaine Gonsalves, CM- Matt Thomas, CM- Jason Rogers, RM- Stephen Brocks, FW Corey Albertson, FW Ashley McInnes, Subs: Justin Meade, Sonny Dalesandro