Halftime Deficit Too Much To Overcome
February 28, 2010 - Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL)
Philadelphia KiXX News Release
Philadelphia (Sunday, February 28, 2010) - The Philadelphia KiXX (5-8) rallied in the second half of a home affair with the Baltimore Blast (8-7) today at The Liacouras Center, but a 15-2 halftime deficit would be too much to overcome. Forward Adauto Neto overtook the league lead in points after a six-point game gave him 46 on the season, but the hometown KiXX unfortunately fell to the Blast by a tally of 23-14.
Baltimore caught an early stride in this match, scoring three goals in the opening six minutes of the first quarter. They later added a fourth goal in the period on a Zach Wilkes to Pat Healey notch at 11:14, and the visiting side held an 8-0 advantage at the first break.
At 2:50 of the second frame, the KiXX got on the board, 8-2, after midfielder Sandre Naumoski received a ball from player/coach Don D'Ambra and banked it off a crease in the glass and past Blast netminder Sagu. Baltimore then retaliated with a three-point goal by forward Machel Millwood at the 4:21 mark, and the Jamaican striker hit a two-point tally at 12:22 to make it 13-2 in favor of the Blast. Following a Guiliano Celenza to Max Ferdinand score at 12:51, Baltimore proceeded to take a 15-2 lead into intermission.
With Philadelphia starting the second half on the power play, KiXX goalkeeper Sanaldo fed Neto for two points to make it 15-4 just 41 seconds into the third quarter. Celenza then answered at 5:10 to increase the Blast advantage to 13 points, 17-4. The KiXX found some momentum late in the frame, with defender Pat Morris hooking up Neto at 14:17, and the Brazilian striker then scored another Sanaldo ball at 14:34 to bring Philadelphia within nine points at 17-8.
Baltimore was able to extend its advantage to 19-8 at 3:20 of the final stanza on a Scott Buete to Rod Dyachenko two-pointer, but forward Ptah Myers left-footed a laser to the right upper 90 of the Blast goal at 4:27 to hang a 19-10 count. At 5:52 Neto recorded his second assist of the evening on a Morris goal, and the KiXX climbed within seven points, 19-12. The two clubs exchanged a pair of goals right after that to make 21-14, with D'Ambra scoring a solo strike at 7:30. Philadelphia continued to battle the rest of the way, but the third goal of a Millwood hat trick at 13:46 would put the game out of reach at 23-14.
Next up for the KiXX is a rematch with the Blast on Friday night at the 1st Mariner Arena in Baltimore. Philadelphia then returns to The Liacouras next Sunday when they host La RaZa de Monterrey at 4:05 p.m. Tickets for that match are available now by calling 1-888-888-KiXX or by visiting www.ComcastTix.com.
Major Indoor Soccer League Stories from February 28, 2010
- Feb. 28: Rockford Rampage Drop Home Finale Vs. Milwaukee - Rockford Rampage
- Wave Power Up To Defeat Rampage 16-10 - Milwaukee Wave
- Halftime Deficit Too Much To Overcome - Philadelphia KiXX
- Rampage look to get back on track - Rockford Rampage
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
