The Ljubljana Silverhawks played the Novi Sad Dukes in their fourth game this year, and won for the first time as the home side. Both teams played good on defense, obvious by the final score of 9-7 for the Silverhawks. The Dukes had a chance to win two seconds before the end, but Vladislav Petković`s field goal attempt from 30 yards was unsuccessful.
The Silverhawks scored first in the second quarter but failed to convert their extra point attempt, so the visiting team took the lead on a TD by one of their best players Čaba Juhas in the same period, which was enough for the lead until the last quarter. It was then that the Silverhawks scored 3 points that, as it turned out, gave them the win.
Uroš Valant, Ljubljana`s defensive coach, said after the game: “It was a hard game for both teams, and in the end a sweet win with a little luck for our team. Novi Sad proved to be a good team that doesn`t give up until the end.”
He finds the reasons for their second straight win in good play on defense: “In the last two games we have conceded only 13 points. I have to praise the guys for their spirit and composure until the end. The game was played in front of a lot of people in the stands, and a good advertisement for this sport, which is obviously not just physically hard, but also thrilling. Two times we scored in the last few seconds and it was enough for us.”
Head coach Matt Penko added: “Great play by the defense. We had possession most of the time, unfortunately our offense showed less than it can in the red zone. Our defense made only two mistakes, which Novi Sad took advantage of.
“A very tough game with both team`s defenses playing well. It was one of the poorest games on our side. We couldn`t get going on offense, and we made a lot of mistakes that cost us the win. We fumbled five times, and couldn`t pass also. In the end we were also unlucky missing a field goal for the win”, said Aleksandar Lazarević from the losing team.
With a Wild Boars win a day earlier, on Saturday, halfway through the season for most teams the situation is further complicated at the top, with now 4 teams having a chance be in the top two and play in the final game.