Ignition end Ironmen championship hopes
March 27, 2009 - Xtreme Soccer League (XSL)
New Jersey Ironmen News Release
Newark, N.J. (Friday, March 27, 2009) - The New Jersey Ironmen (8-9) entered tonight's contest against the first-place Detroit Ignition (11-7) in need of four consecutive wins to keep their championship hopes alive, but it was just not to be. Following a 12-6 loss tonight at Prudential Center, the Ironmen officially saw those aspirations come to a close.
New Jersey struck first in this key match-up when forward Shaun David intercepted an ill-advised pass and delivered a bullet past Detroit netminder Danny Waltman at 4:37 of the opening frame. Ignition midfielder Ryan Mack eventually evened the count at two each by recording a knock at 1:13 of the second quarter. A Lucio Gonzaga to Goran Vasic power play goal at 5:46 put the Ironmen back on top, 4-2, but Detroit defender Josh Rife sent the visitors into the locker rooms with a 5-4 edge after he tallied a three-pointer with 53 seconds left in the first half.
The Ignition would never relinquish that advantage.
Lucio notched the lone score of the second half for New Jersey, but it would be too late. Detroit would eventually close out the game with a 12-6 win, officially eliminating the Ironmen from contention due to their ownership of the season series against New Jersey.
The Ironmen return to Prudential Center for a pair next weekend. First up, they will host the Milwaukee Wave at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday afternoon with former New York Giants captain George Martin as honorary captain before finishing the season on Sunday against the Wave with former U.S. National Team captain Claudio Reyna as honorary captain. Tickets are available now by calling 1-800-IRONMEN.
ABOUT THE NEW JERSEY IRONMEN The New Jersey Ironmen, owned by Jeff Vanderbeek and Michael Gilfillan of the NHL New Jersey Devils ownership group, are a professional indoor soccer team that completed their inaugural season in April of 2008. The Ironmen play their home schedule at Prudential Center in the Downtown Core Redevelopment District of Newark, and the team is currently amid their sophomore campaign as charter members of the newly-founded Xtreme Soccer League. The Ironmen are coached by two-time MISL Coach of the Year Omid Namazi. For more information on the New Jersey Ironmen, visit www.njironmen.com.
Xtreme Soccer League Stories from March 27, 2009
- Ignition end Ironmen championship hopes - New Jersey Ironmen
- Milwaukee loss on Sunday would clinch Championship for Detroit - Detroit Ignition
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