Dominic Schell leads Outlaws scoring with 2 goals, 2 assists

North Richland Hills, Tx (10 January 2009) – The Texas Outlaws failed to capitalize on an opportunity to take sole possession of second place in the Western Division with a 8 to 5 loss to the California Cougars. A win tonight would have improved the team record to 5 wins and 2 losses and would have put the Outlaws in a prime position to contend for first place with the division leading California Cougars.

An enthusiastic crowd came out to TCG Arena to cheer on the Texas Outlaws. California struck first in the first period as Nelson Santana put the Cougars on the board with 7:54 remaining in the period. Less than a minute and a half later, the Cougars struck again as Brian Farber found Ernesto Bueno for the goal. The Outlaws were undaunted in the their attack, outshooting the Cougars 10 to 5 in the first period. Renato finally found the back of the net off of a pass from Dominic Schell with 4:38 left in the period. The shooting was more balanced in the second period as Schell tied the game about halfway into the period off of a pass from Jamie Harrigan. After that, the Cougars slowly edged away scoring two in the second, two in the third, and two in the fourth periods.

The Outlaws could only match their goal scoring in the fourth period. The fourth period also saw a blown call by the referees that helped keep the game close. Harrigan, playing as sixth attacker, intentionally handled the ball on a breakaway by the Cougars. The ball went in the net, but the referees had already blown the play dead, giving the Cougars a shootout. Luis Aldaba easily saved the shootout. The fourth quarter goals by Schell and Shaun David were too little, too late for the home team.

Enrique Tovar had four goals for the visiting California Cougars. For the home team, Dominic Schell was the man of the match with two goals and two assists in the game. Matthew Clark and Paulo Da Silva made their debuts for the Outlaws. Clark made a good showing, scoring a goal in the third period to bring the Outlaws to within three of the Cougars. Clark is a veteran indoor player from the Dallas/Fort Worth area having played for teams such as the DFW Tornados. Paulo, a Brazilian and recent graduate from SMU, is a top prospect for the MLS and showed some good speed and skill on the field.