Heat down 'Shockers
By NINO CARDENAS
LAREDO MORNING TIMES
The Laredo Heat shook off its first loss of the season with a 2-1 win over of the New Orleans Shell Shockers Wednesday night at the Student Activity Center.
Laredo improves to 4-1 for a total of 12 points and New Orleans drops to 1-3 in the Mid South Division of the Premier Development League.
The Heat traveled to El Paso right after the game in preparation for this weekend's double-header against division leader Patriots.
In a somewhat sluggish start the Heat took control of the game in the 27th minute.
Juan de Dios Ibarra sent a center pass to a waiting Dionisio "Nicho" Infante who headed his fourth goal of the year past Freddie Mince of the Shell Shockers.
The Heat started to set the tone of the game from that point forward and the Heat finally broke through again in the 43rd minute.
Ibarra woke up the Heat crowd and surprised the New Orleans defense by taking 24-yard strike that found its mark right between the crossbar and the right post.
Shell Shocker goalie Mince didn't have a chance to react to the well-placed shot.
Hector Vallejo was credited with the assist.
New Orleans got the Heat on its toes in the second half after cutting the lead in half in the 50th minute.
Austin Gunning beat out Ryan Shaughnessy to put the Shell Shockers to within one goal to tie.
Laredo stayed defensive for the majority of the second half and nursed its one goal lead till the final whistle.
The Heat out shot the Shockers 14-12 and Shaughnessy finished with three saves.
Mince had six saves for New Orleans and both teams finished even in the foul category with eight apiece.
