Barracudas extend season opening win-streak; Crunch win second straight at home

TAMPA, Fla -- The RGV Barracudas were among the last teams to kick off their 2021-22 season, but they continue to make a big impression after a pair of weekend road wins has the team atop the Major Arena Soccer League 2 Western Division standings.

RGV (4-0) finished a perfect weekend with a 15-4 win against the Inferno in Colorado, racing to an 8-1 halftime lead while blistering home team's goal with 50 shots in the game. Ivan Martinez led the onslaught with four goals and an assists, while teammate Eusebio Bazaldua III turned in a four-point afternoon with two goals and two assists. Marcelo Natale and Jose Martinez each had hat tricks. For Colorado (0-4), Armando Gonzalez led the offense with a goal and two assists.

The Barracudas opened their long road trip with an 8-3 win in New Mexico  as Martinez recorded a hat trick in this one as well.  Gustavo Rosales chipped in with a goal and two assists. Jacob Gandarilla had a pair for the Runners who fell to 1-6. 

Like RGV,  the Cleveland Crunch continued their perfect start, handling the BC Swerve in an all Ohio showdown on Saturday. Cleveland scored twice early in the third to break a 2-2 halftime tie to improve to 3-0 while the Cincinnati-based Swerve fell to 0-2. The Crunch and Barracudas are the only two undefeated teams in M2 play remaining this regular season. Cleveland outshot the Swere 54-28.

Ryan Minick and Mike Derezic each had a pair of goals to lead the Crunch. Manny Adjei led the Swerve's effort with a pair of goals.

The weekend rounded out with the Chicago Mustangs (2-1) rolling past the Muskegon Risers, 14-4, behind a nine-point game (three goals and six assists) from Angel Rodriguez. Alex Gomez added four goals and Michael Marchionna had a hat trick. The Risers (2-4) got a pair of goals from Miguel Flores.