Portland Steel take a tough loss against the LA KISS, 54-42
Saturday May 28, 2016
Goard hauls in four touchdowns; two-key kickoffs late in the 4th quarter hand game to LA
ANAHEIM - The Portland Steel lost a tough game against the LA KISS, 54-42, in front of 7,150 at Honda Center on Saturday night. The loss extends the Portland losing streak to eight games to start the season.
Quarterback Shane Austin got the start under center for the Steel (0-8) and completed 23-of-42 passes for 223 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. He added one touchdown rushing. Steel wide receiver Tyrone Goard hauled in nine passes for a game-high 103 yards and a career-game high four touchdowns.
Goard hauled in a 31-yard touchdown from Austin to open the Portland scoring in the 1st quarter. At the end of one, the KISS led 14-7.
Austin would rush for a touchdown early in the 2nd quarter. A barrage of touchdowns by Goard and KISS wide receiver Donovan Morgan would close out the half. Each would catch two touchdowns to end the half. The game was knotted at 28.
Goard scored the only touchdown in the third quarter when he hauled in an 8-yard touchdown. His fourth touchdown of the game set a new career-game high. At the end of the 3rd quarter the Steel led 35-28.
Morgan, the J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the game, would catch his fourth touchdown of the game to open the final quarter. Steel wide receiver Gilson would catch his lone touchdown of the game on a 21-yard touchdown as he streaked down the sideline and into the crowd. He held on to the football and gave Portland a 42-35 lead.
KISS fullback Rory Nixon would rush for a touchdown with less than four minutes remaining, a missed extra point gave the Steel a one-point lead. A mishandled kickoff return in the end zone by Steel kick returner Christian Wise would end up in the hands of Jamil Merrell to give the KISS the lead. On the ensuing kickoff, KISS place kicker Joey Cejudo was able to send the football off the cross bar and was recovered by LA’s Fredrick Obi. The KISS would convert that turnover into another touchdown and gave them a 54-42 advantage.
Portland suffered two injuries on the night, newly activated wide receiver Darryl Thompson suffered a hamstring injury during warmups. Defensive back Tim Shelley II slammed into the wall during the final LA KISS touchdown before the half and was ruled out for the rest of the game with a hip injury.
The Steel will return to Moda Center on Friday, June 3 to face the Tampa Bay Storm. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. For all ticket information and for the most updated information on the Portland Steel, head to www.pdxsteel.com.
