Storm have final say against AISL's Rockford Rampage
February 5, 2008 - Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
Chicago Storm News Release
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. - One thing was clear through the first half - a Chicago Storm win would not come without a fight. Matthew Stewart scored four goals and an assist as the Major Indoor Soccer League's Storm defeated the American Indoor Soccer League's Rockford Rampage, 16-14, in an exhibition School Day Game on Tuesday at the Sears Centre Arena.
Rockford goalkeeper Dimitri Meletis was tested early and often, but he kept the Rampage in the match with a game-high 23 saves. Rockford's effort was a far boost from its 21-10 loss to the Storm during last season's exhibition.
"That's a good soccer team," Storm head coach Steve Morris said. "(Meletis) had 10 to 15 outstanding saves."
"I'm proud of the guys," Rampage head coach Jeff Kraft said. "It went down to the wire, and we put it all on the line."
Two of Stewart's goals came on the power play - both assisted by Carlos "Chile" Farias. Farias had a game-high five assists.
"That's why we have him here. He has worked hard on his fitness, and for two straight weeks, Chile has defended really well," Morris said. "He blocked some shots, and any time you play well defensively, that opens your game offensively."
Rockford's 10-0 AISL record and regular-season title speak for themselves. In the organization's short existence, Kraft and the Rampage have molded a team that played on the same level as some of the MISL's top talent.
"They have heart and soul every time they go out," Kraft said. "It's all about unity and working with each other. They kept fighting. And as we know in indoor, no lead is safe."
"This game was as good as any training session we could possibly have this week," Morris said. "It was good fitness, and it was like an MISL game."
Storm rookie Gabriel Cigliano, Andy Rosenband, Chris Brisson and Ian Bennett tallied other goals for Chicago, which is third in the MISL with a 12-7 record. Rockford's Novi Marojevic, a former Storm player, scored two goals and assisted another score. Marco Sullo and Zlatko Zebic each added two goals for the Rampage, who had one lead at 2-0 and tied the score on four other occasions.
The series shifts to Loves Park, Ill., on Saturday, when Rockford hosts the Storm at 7:30 p.m. at the Victory Sports Complex, 7003 N. Alpine Road. Saturday's match will use AISL scoring: 1-point and 2-point goals, versus the MISL's 2-point and 3-point scoring system.
Chicago Storm 16, Rockford Rampage 14
Scoring summary:
Rampage goal: 1:15, first quarter, Novi Marojevic (unassisted)
Storm goal: 4:02, first quarter, Gabriel Cigliano (unassisted)
Storm goal: 2:24, second quarter, Matthew Stewart, PPG (Chile Farias)
Rampage goal: 8:10, second quarter, Marco Sullo (Bojan Jovicic)
Storm goal: 12:48, second quarter, Chris Brisson (Matthew Stewart)
Storm goal: 4:00, third quarter, Matthew Stewart (Chile Farias)
Rampage goal: 6:02, third quarter, Novi Marojevic, restart goal (unassisted)
Rampage goal: 11:55, third quarter, Zlatko Zebic (Neil Hlavaty)
Storm goal: 14:38, third quarter, Matthew Stewart (Ian Bennett)
Rampage goal: 3:32, fourth quarter, Marco Sullo (Novi Marojevic)
Storm goal: 5:47, Andy Rosenband (Chile Farias)
Rampage goal: 7:43, Fred DeGand (Mladen Stojanovic)
Storm goal: 9:03, Matthew Stewart, PPG (Chile Farias)
Storm goal: 9:28, Ian Bennett (Chile Farias)
Rampage goal: 12:43, Zlatko Zebic (Bato Radoncic)
Penalty summary:
Rampage penalty: 8:11, first quarter, Ante Cop (tripping)
Rampage penalty: 2:21, second quarter, Dimitri Meletis (touching the ball outside the box)
Rampage penalty: 8:18, fourth quarter, Novi Marojevic (holding)
Storm penalty: 11:35, fourth quarter, Chile Farias (tripping)
Saves:
Storm - Jim Larkin 9, Jeff Richey 7; Rampage - Dimitri Meletis 23
The Chicago Storm are members of the Major Indoor Soccer League. Storm offices are located at 5333 Prairie Stone Pkwy., in Hoffman Estates. For more information on all aspects of Storm soccer, including season tickets, group outings, birthday parties and more, call (866) STORM-81, or visit ChicagoStorm.net.
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Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from February 5, 2008
- Storm have final say against AISL's Rockford Rampage - Chicago Storm
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