Comets Lose Heartbreaker in OT
March 8, 2013 - Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL)
Kansas City Comets News Release
INDEPENDENCE, MO - For the third straight season, the Missouri Comets hosted the Milwaukee Wave in the first game of the MISL Playoffs. This postseason rivalry has developed some of the most exciting matches in the past three years. Tonight's match didn't disappoint. The Comets jumped to an 10-0 lead with goals from five different players, but the Wave were able to come back, scoring the equalizing goal with twenty seconds left in the fourth quarter and the game winner in overtime. The Comets lose 12-10 tonight and head to Milwaukee for games two and three on Sunday afternoon.
The Comets have had success against the Milwaukee Wave this season when they pressured their defense into making mistakes. A high-pressure approach to the game once again forced those mistakes. Coady Andrews started things off when he recovered a rebound from a Byron Alvarez shot. Milwaukee goalkeeper Nick Vorberg cheated far to his left to try and block the shot, leaving the rest of the goal wide open for Andrews. As the first quarter ticked down, Jeff Hughes stole the ball from the Wave defense and found a streaking Milan Ivanovic on the right side of the goal. Ivanovic wasted no time and hit a one-timer into the back of the goal, giving the Comets a 4-0 lead at the end of the first.
The Comets remained strong in the second quarter. Hughes got his second assist of the night when he and Mads Falck streaked down the field uncontested towards the Milwaukee goal. The Wave's Vorsberg tried to cut off the angle as he attacked Hughes, but the speedy midfielder was able to push the ball over to Falck who knocked in the score. A few minutes later, Hughes stepped up to the plate and scored himself, this time on a diving header from forward Byron Alvarez. The Comets finished the half with an 8-0 lead.
As the second half started, the Comets seemed to be in control, especially after Robert Palmer scored his first MISL goal to put Missouri up 10-0. As the defending champions, the Milwaukee Wave were not ready to go home yet. Slowly they chipped away at the Comets lead. Scores from Hewerton and Guiliano Oliviero brought the Wave to with 10-4.
The Comets were unable to maintain their high-energy attack in the fourth quarter, allowing goals from Hewerton and Luan Oliviero in the first seven minutes of the quarter. With the score 10-8, Missouri seemed to settle down and played a ball-control game, hoping for the clock to tick down to the end. Pulling their goalkeeper in favor of a sixth attacker, the Wave put everything into the attack as the seconds ticked down. Somehow Hewerton was able to complete his hat trick with only 20 seconds left in the quarter, sending the game into overtime tied at 10 points.
The Comets seemed to be reenergized in the extra period, making several attacks that nearly ended the game. Goalkeeper Danny Waltman was at the top of his game as well, stopping several Milwaukee shots without allowing dangerous rebounds. Ultimately Guiliano Oliviero placed a far post shot in the only place he could fit it and won the game for Milwaukee.
The series shifts to Milwaukee on Sunday afternoon at 3:00pm. If the Comets can pull off the win in Game Two, there will be a 15 minute 'mini-game' to decide the series winner. Fans are invited to watch the game with the Comets Nation fan group at Coach's Bar & Grille. For information call 855.4KC.GOAL (855.452.4625).
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Major Indoor Soccer League Stories from March 8, 2013
- Soul set out for redemption in Baltimore - Chicago Soul FC
- Wave Ride Second Half Rally to Overtime Win - Milwaukee Wave
- Comets Lose Heartbreaker in OT - Kansas City Comets
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