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Force Drops Overtime Decision To Philadelphia

January 9, 2005 - Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
Cleveland Force News Release


CLEVELAND, OHIO - The Cleveland Force played host and was defeated by the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) Philadelphia KiXX this afternoon by a final score of 6-5 in overtime at the Convocation Center at Cleveland State University. The Force wore the retro throw back jerseys of the Crunch. Cleveland goalkeeper Jim Larkin recorded his 2,000th career save on his ninth save of the game.

With the loss, the Force fell to 5-7 overall, 2-2 in the season series, 0-3 in overtime games and 4-3 at home. With the victory, the KiXX improved to 11-6 overall, 1-1 in overtime games and 5-3 on the road.

Cleveland opened the scoring (1-0) when defender Wendell Regis nailed a low liner to far lower post off the cross from forward Adauto Neto at 14:32. The scoreless first quarter marked the third time this season that the Force has held Philadelphia without a goal in the opening period.

Cleveland started off the second quarter quick (2-0) when defender John Ball streaked down the sideline and hit a perfect cross to Neto who buried the ball into the back of the net at 1:05. The Force added to their lead (3-0) when Ball took the pass from forward Sipho Sibiya off the boards and knocked into the goal on a header at 5:39. The KiXX got on the board (3-1) when defender Pat Morris hit a ball from outside the yellow line into the top of the net off the cross from John Barry Nusum at 10:02. The goal snapped an 83:04 scoreless streak for Cleveland dating back to Friday nights contest.

The Force opened the second half scoring (4-1) when Sibiya crossed the ball in front of the goal and the ball was deflected off a Philadelphia defender into the back of the goal giving Sipho credit for the score at 9:38 of the third quarter. The KiXX cut into the lead (4-2) when Chris Fehrle buried a shot from way outside the yellow line off the cross from Goran Vasic at 14:53.

Philadelphia opened the final period scoring and cut the lead to one (4-3) when Nusum found the back of the net off the cross from Jeff Moore at 6:21. Cleveland quickly responded (5-3) when Neto put on a dribbling display and beat two KiXX defender and goalkeeper Peter Pappas for the unassisted goal at 7:15. Philadelphia cut the lead back to one (5-4) when Drew Kopp scored the unassisted goal at 10:02. The KiXX tied the game for the first time (5-5) when Damien Pottinger hit a ball through the legs of Larkin for the score off the cross from Nusum at 10:58.

Philadelphia won the game just 26 seconds into the extra session (5-6) when Morris buried a shot into the back of the net off the cross from Vasic.

Cleveland will next play host to the MISL leading St. Louis Steamers on Friday, January 15. The game can be heard live on WHK 1420 AM in Cleveland as well as 1440 AM WHKW in Warren/Youngstown or worldwide on the Internet at www.thesportsking.com starting at 7:35 p.m.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: please contact Jeff Miller, Director of Media Relations, by calling 216-896-1117 at the office. The Media Relations Office can also be reached by fax at 216-896-1141 or email at jmiller@clevelandforce.com.

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Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from January 9, 2005


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