Baltimore Wins MISL Championship Over St. Louis in Golden Goal
April 30, 2006 - Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
St. Louis Steamers News Release
ST. LOUIS - The St. Louis Steamers (26-9) couldn't complete the final task as the were defeated by the Baltimore Blast (21-15) in a "Golden Goal" session after the Steamers defeated the Blast, 4-1, in Game 2 of the Major Indoor Soccer League Championship Series Finals. It was the third MISL Championship in the last four seasons for Baltimore. Blast forward Machel Millwood beat goalkeeper Brett Phillips at the 6:33 mark of the extra frame for the Championship Goal. It was Millwood's second "Golden Goal" in the post season and it earned Millwood the Championship Series Finals Most Valuable Player.
Game 2 of the series started much like Game 1 as St. Louis scored first, this one from team Captain Jeff DiMaria only 6:37 into the game. It was his third goal of the post season. The second quarter saw no scoring but the Steamers were clearly in control as they out shot the Blast 19-6 in the first half. Baltimore's top scoring threat, Adauto Neto, was held in check as he only had shots in the first half.
The Steamers opened the second half scoring when Shaun David beat Blast goalkeeper, Senaldo, after Steamers keeper Brett Phillips found him streaking down the right side boards. Jamar Beasley then found then net on the power play when Genoni Martinez used his shoot out attempt to find a streaking Beasley beating the defense.
Before the close of the third quarter, Blast player/coach, Danny Kelly got Baltimore on the board when he broke up the shut out by Phillips and making it a 3-1 game. That was quickly neutralized when Martinez gave St. Louis another three goal lead only 1:02 after Kelly's goal. In the fourth quarter, the Blast put more pressure on the Steamers defense but it proved to be inefficient as the Steamers took Game 2, 4-1 forcing the extra session.
Baltimore only put two shots on goal during the session while St. Louis had three shots, but Millwood took a deflection from Giuliano Celenza and knocked a shot past Phillips's right side, ending the series and the season. The Steamers attempt to become only the second professional indoor soccer franchise in St. Louis to win a championship came up just short. First year coach, Omid Namazi lost in the MISL Finals for the second consecutive season after losing to the Milwaukee Wave as coach of the Cleveland Force.
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Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from April 30, 2006
- Baltimore Wins MISL Championship Over St. Louis in Golden Goal - St. Louis Steamers
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