Thunder scores first, but falls 5-1

WAUKEGAN, Ill. - Idaho Thunder coach Briggs Anderson felt pretty good about his team taking a 1-0 lead five minutes into Saturday's U.S. Club Soccer National Cup XI Finals game against Oak Grove of New York at Waukegan Sports Park outside Chicago.

Oak Grove then scored five straight goals to beat the Thunder 5-1 and end any hopes of a berth into the championship game.

Timmy Mueller scored on a pass from Graison Le after beating the Oak Grove goalie and sending a shot off the near post for the early lead.

"Graison played an early ball and hit Timmy down the field," Anderson said. "It was a pretty exciting goal."

Oak Grove then scored four goals before halftime, and went on to improve to 2-0 in the tournament.

"They had not given up a goal in regionals and through the tournament," Anderson said. "They won their first game 1-0, so we felt pretty good early on. They just outmanned us and we flat out lost to a better team than we were."

The Thunder concludes the tournament against Ohio Academy today.

"They're a very good team," Anderson said. "At this point we're done, but tomorrow's game is for pride and honor."