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Ventura County Fusion snuffed by Fuego, 3-2
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More from SoccerThe road to the postseason just got tougher for the Ventura County Fusion.
Eddie Gutierrez broke through the center of the Fusion defense to score the game-winning goal in the 88th minute as the host Fresno Fuego won 3-2 Sunday in a Premier Development League Southwest Division game.
It was the third straight loss for the Fusion (7-3-1), which dropped to fourth place with five games left in the season. Fresno (7-4-2) moved one point ahead of the Fusion.
"We're in danger of making life difficult for us," said Fusion coach Graham Smith. "If we would have gotten a point out of this game, we would have come out with a positive outlook."
The Fusion plays the Southern California Seahorses on Friday at La Mirada High and Sunday against the San Francisco Seals at Buena High.
"Sunday's game is massive," said Smith.
What frustrates the Fusion coach is the way that the team has played lately.
"There's a very soft streak that I am seeing," said Smith. "Today, for the first time, I thought that we threw the game away. We didn't keep our concentration at a level that is necessary to win.
"We need to tighten up."
The Fusion's Nelson Pizarro scored the game's first goal in the 18th minute. Pizarro punched in a shot from 15 yards out to the left corner over a diving keeper. Eric Frimpong set up the goal after picking up the ball in the center circle and dribbling against a retreating Fresno line.
After Milton Blanco of the Fuego tied the game in the 31st minute, the Fusion scored 11 minutes later on a goal by Mark Draycott.
Fuego's Gaston Cignetti scored over the outstretched hands of Fusion goalkeeper Bryan Hill in the 51st minute to tie the game.
Hill made a diving one-handed save off a free kick in the 44th minute. A goal by Draycott was disallowed because of an offside call. Gabe Farfan was denied a goal by a Fuego save in the 66th minute.
Brad Rusin of the Fusion drew his second yellow card in the 75th minute.
Two Fuego players were issued red cards.
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