Chicago Riot Comes up Short Against 1st-Place Milwaukee, 9-8
Published on December 11, 2010 under Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL)
Chicago Riot News Release
MILWAUKEE, Wis. (Dec. 11, 2010) -- The Chicago Riot put together a strong defensive performance but came up short on the scoreboard as the first-place Milwaukee Wave defeated Chicago, 9-8, on Saturday in Major Indoor Soccer League play at the U.S. Cellular Arena.
New Wave signing Jonathan Greenfield's three-point goal at the 1:00 mark of the fourth quarter turned out to be the game-winner, but the Riot created several last-minute chances to keep Milwaukee on its heels.
At the 12:50 mark of the fourth quarter, the Riot's Bato Radoncic netted a two-point goal to cut the deficit to 9-8, and it gave Chicago ample time to fight for the lead. Radoncic was inserted as the sixth attacker with 1:33 remaining, and with 52 seconds left during his distribution in the box, the Wave's Ryan Mack was blue-carded for a handball.
But during Chicago's two-man advantage, the Wave defense held its own, pressured the Riot despite being shorthanded, and pulled off the win. The Wave improved to 5-0 and the Riot fell to 0-4. Chicago is 0-2 so far during its three-game weekend, coming off a 17-6 loss to the host Omaha Vipers on Friday.
"It was a game that could have gone either way," Riot Head Coach Jeff Kraft said. "We gambled at the end, and I'm not a big fan of pulling the 'keeper. But we tried to capitalize on the situation. We had the two-man advantage, but the time elapsed on us."
Chris Brisson was the Riot's leading points man with a two-point goal and two assists. Riot goalkeeper Jeff Richey made 19 saves and Wave goalkeeper Nick Vorberg had 10 saves as both sides' defenses particularly stood out in this match. From the Riot's perspective, they held the likes of Marcio Leite and Giuliano Oliviero without a point. Riot rookie defender Eric Duda had a game-high four blocks.
"It was a team effort tonight," Kraft said. "Eric Duda did a sensational job, and Jeff Richey made some outstanding saves. Those two shined a bit. ... You're happy, but disappointed, in a game like this. They gave it everything out there."
Chicago wraps up its three-day, three-game swing with a home match against the Missouri Comets at 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12, at the Odeum Sports and Expo Center in Villa Park, Ill. Before the game, the Riot is paying tribute to recently retired Chicago Fire (Major League Soccer) defender C.J. Brown. For tickets and more information, visit www.ChicagoRiotSoccer.com or call 630-708-6284.
For the third time in four games this season, the Riot garnered the 2-0 lead on Saturday with Alex Megson's first MISL goal at the 10:37 mark of the first quarter. Edward Santeliz got the assist as he crossed the ball from the right side to Megson, who played with Milwaukee last season. Megson's shot deflected off of a Wave defender and found the back of the net.
Milwaukee's Marco Terminesi was in the right place at the right time as he tallied an unassisted goal at the 13:33 mark of the first quarter to tie the score at 2-2. Terminesi's goal immediately followed a high-percentage scoring chance for the Riot's Will Kletzien, who pushed the ball wide right. The Wave countered and as Richey tried to clear the the ball, it deflected to Terminesi.
Recent Riot signing Anthony Maher, playing in his second game this season, tallied his first goal with Chicago at the 7:54 mark of the second quarter for a 4-2 lead. Maher cut the ball to the inside to elude Wave defender Joe Hammes and Maher's shot trickled inside the right post past Vorberg.
Despite not capitalizing on a power-play opportunity, the Wave was able to get the final goal of the first half with Hewerton's redirect at the 13:21 mark to tie the score at 4-4. Evan McNeley took the deep strike and the ball bounced off of Hewerton and past Richey.
The scoring picked up in the third quarter when the Wave's Travis MacKenzie netted a power-play goal at the 8:58 mark for a 6-4 Milwaukee lead. He capitalized on an Eric Lukin tripping penalty.
But the Riot responded 17 seconds later at the 9:15 mark with a Brisson goal to tie the score at 6-6. Vladimir Knezevic assisted as he dropped the ball back and Brisson converged with full steam on the shot.
Greenfield gave the Wave a 9-6 lead at the 1:00 mark of the fourth quarter. Greenfield raced down the right side and struck a low rolling shot just inside the far left post past Richey.
The match stayed that way until Radoncic's goal at 12:50. Radoncic made a turn against McNeley and flicked the ball with his right foot in between Vorberg's legs and into the net.
Major Indoor Soccer League Stories from December 11, 2010
- Comets Falter Down the Stretch Against Blast - MISL
- Chicago Riot Comes up Short Against 1st-Place Milwaukee, 9-8 - Chicago Riot
- Milwaukee Wave Remain Undefeated - Milwaukee Wave
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