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A second half blitz by the Cleveland City Stars sunk Real Maryland to its third defeat of the season.

Following an evenly played first half, the City Stars (2-0-2) put the Monarchs (1-3-0) on the back foot and Real Maryland subsequently paid a heavy price for some slack defending.

Three minutes into the second half, Real Maryland center back Daryl Ferguson misjudged a long ball. Anthony Stovall tracked down the loose ball and sent it across the face of goal. Adam Ruud managed to direct the ball towards the net and it pinballed off Ferguson and Zelaya before barley squirting across the line.

Two minutes later, on what looked to be a carbon copy of the previous play, Ferguson once again misjudged a long ball from Neil Hlavaty. In walked Sallieu Bundu and he fired his shot into the upper corner past a stranded Emilio Zelaya in the Monarchs goal.

14 minutes later, Cleveland effectively ended the match as a contest. Derek Potteiger broke free down the left and crossed to the far post. Luke Williams headed the ball back across goal and Ruud was on hand to nod home his second of the match.

Cleveland completed the route six minutes from time. This time it was Dana McGregor finding space on the left and his pinpoint cross found fellow substitute Ian Leibbrandt who firmly headed past Zelaya.

“We played them well in the first half,” Real Maryland defender Stephen Basso said. “In the second half they came out stronger. We made a few simple mistakes in the first ten minutes and that was it. They capitalized on their chances and it was just a bad day for us.”

Real Maryland has a chance for revenge next Saturday when it takes on these same Cleveland City Stars at 7:30 PM at the Maryland SoccerPlex.

Check back Monday morning for a full match report with commentary, satistics and "Notes and Quotes" from Real Maryland players and coaches.