Defending MISL Champion Milwaukee Snaps Cougars Streak, 8-7

Published on February 17, 2006 under Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
California Cougars News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - An early five-goal deficit was erased, however the Milwaukee Wave could not be conquered as the California Cougars fell to the defending Major Indoor Soccer League Champions for the fourth time in four meetings, losing 8-7 at Stockton Arena on Friday.

The Wave (14-5) had outscored the Cougars 25-10 in three previous games, but the give-and-take flow of this match something different. California fell behind by five, then scored the next five, in a game that ended in a furious fourth quarter back-and-forth battle won by the Wave.

With the Cougars leading 7-6, Milwaukee's Angel Rivillo scored at 11:00 of the fourth quarter to tie it at 7. Todd Dusosky followed with the game-winner 14 seconds later when Alen Osmanovic gained possession of the Cougars ensuing kick-off and chipped it over the defense to Dusosky, who scored his 19th goal as the Wave snapped a two-game losing streak.

California (3-20) which had won two-straight, maintained momentum for much of the game's final 40 minutes, digging itself out of a huge hole to eventually gain short-lived second half ties on goals by John Ball and Aaron Susi, and finally its only lead at 7-6 on Craig Scheer's goal at 6:08 of the fourth. Unfortunately for the Cougars, the lead would not stand.

California's seven goals scored matched a club-high, previously accomplished in a 9-7 loss to Chicago on Jan. 1. Ball scored twice for California. Gary Brooks and Susi each had one goal and one assist. Vincente Figueroa had two assi sts.

"We had a bad three minutes (in the second quarter) but we got momentum in the second half," Ball said. "This was a painful loss. They took it away from us. We'll learn from this. It will make us stronger."

"There wasn't a fan tonight that couldn't enjoy that game," stated Cougars Head Coach Troy Dayak. "Look how far we've come since the beginning of the season. We'll learn from this and get better for the next game on Monday, February 20."

Greg Howes and Alen Osmanovic each had two goals and one assist for Milwaukee. Howes, the MISL's two-time defending MVP started the night's scoring with a goal off of a Guiliano Oliviero assist at 9:27 of the first quarter. Osmanovic scored twice, Oliviero once, and Jonathan Greenfield once, as the Wave quickly built a 5-0 lead exactly five minutes into the second quarter, 20 minutes into the game.

Before the game could get completely out of reach, however, the Cougars closed out the first half with three goals of their own. Figueroa picked off a misdirected outlet by Wave goalkeeper Brian Rowland and assisted Bernie Lilavois, who scored his ninth goal of the season at 5:44 of the second quarter. Ball followed 24 seconds later, w beating Rowland on a penalty kick after Milwaukee was charged with a hand ball. In the quarter's closing minute California goalkeeper Jim Larkin made a kick save of a Howes shot starting a 3-on-2 for the Cougars and resulting in a breakaway goal by Enrique Tovar off the assist from Bill Sedgewick.

Larkin stopped 13 of 21 shots for California. Rowland saved six of 13 shots on goal.

The California Cougars professional indoor soccer team plays its next home game at the beautiful, state-of-the-art downtown Stockton Arena, 248 W. Fremont Street, on Monday, February 20, at 4:00 p.m. PST. The game will be broadcast on Comcast SportsNet West (check local listings).

California Cougars single game seats and Flex Packs (pick your own four games) are now on sale. For more information on Cougars soccer including season tickets, groups, and Cougar Camps: (209) 373-1550 or www.CaliforniaCougars.net.

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Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from February 17, 2006


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