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Fuego settles for tie against Liga del Valle By Jennifer Squires,Ashland Daily Tidings May 29, 2004 12:00 AM A A The battle of the Rogue Valley will have to wait for another — day. — In Friday night's exhibition soccer action at Phillips — Field, the Southern Oregon Fuego and Liga del Valle All Stars of Medford — knocked each other around until they literally couldn't see anymore, only — to end in a 2-all draw when the game was called due to darkness. — Technical difficulties left the stadium floodlights black — the entire contest and, as time — wore down and visibility diminished, the play became more — and more physical. — But the challenge seemed to inspire Fuego after a sluggish — first half. — "It's a tale of two halves," Fuego assistant coach Steve — Isser. "We played kind of slow and lethargic the first half. The second — half we changed the tempo." — The total soccer strategy Fuego began employing at the — start of the season didn't have the same level of effectiveness against — Liga as it did during last week's game versus the Cascade Surge. — "I think we do better against stronger teams," Fuego head — coach Radovan Dhuly-Smith said. "For some reason, we have a hard time — keeping our game up against weaker teams. But it happens. Every game is — different." — The difference on Friday turned out to be the final score. — Although Fuego won't chalk one up in the W column just yet, the general — consensus was that the knotted finish feels a lot — — — — — better than a loss. — "Just because it was two valley teams, I'm happy with — the tie," Fuego forward Davey Grantland said. "We played much better against — the Surge." — The problems on the field were evident. — "The other team, they seemed like they wanted it more," — Grantland said. "I think we came out flat. They had a lot of talented — players we didn't expect." — — The first 45 — After almost 20 minutes of play, Fuego struck first. — With Liga keeper Tomas Iboa drawn out of the box, Fuego — forward David Peterson popped a loopy kick dead-center in front of the — goal. The ball appeared to travel in slow motion, but no one would touch — it before it caught the back of the net to put Fuego up 1-0 early. — The rest of the game wouldn't be that easy. — In the 26th minute, Liga's Rene Barajas slipped one into — the right corner of the goal, far out of Fuego keeper Mike Welch's grasp. — Each squad had decent looks at the net, but the two goalies — ensured the half would end with a 1-all tie. — "[Our] keeper was excellent today," Dhuly-Smith said. — "He did a wonderful job and he had a lot of great saves." — In addition to his stealth saves, Welch had several decent — punts. He'd spent most of the week working on his deep kicks. — "I think he was the best player on the team today," Dhuly-Smith — said. — — The last half — After a spotty first stanza, Fuego came out of the locker — room looking like a different team. — "I think, in the second half, we really improved," Dhuly-Smith — said. "We played good soccer. They came out more physical." — Fuego stayed together as a team better and was able to — put together stronger downfield play. — About 10 minutes into the second half, Grantland snagged — the ball and squirted past a Liga defender at midfield to pass the ball — off to midfielder Jeremy Warner. Warner drove the rest of the way down — the left side of the field, working past two more defenders to take a — shot right on goal and put Fuego up 2-1. — After that, though, it was nothing but close calls and — missed opportunities for Fuego. — "Our system needs to be much better," Grantland said. — "We need to want it more." — Liga eventually scored on a free kick courtesy Francisco — Miranda in the 80th minute that would be the last score for either team. — — Still, the tie is an improvement and Fuego has six games — remaining on its summer schedule. — "We have more games coming up and and I think this is — good for us to always be aware of where we need to improve," Dhuly-Smith — said. — With just over a week until Fuego's two-game weekend road — trip, the team will go back to fine-tuning the total soccer strategy for — the contests against the Chico Rooks and the Sacramento Knights that could — provide that elusive first win. — "They're so hungry and they play with such heart," Isser — said. "They're very dedicated."