Ironmen Suffer Loss to Chicago in Season Opener
December 14, 2008 - Xtreme Soccer League (XSL)
New Jersey Ironmen News Release
Newark, N.J. (Sunday, December 14, 2008) - The New Jersey Ironmen offense got started early on an Adauto Neto goal in the second minute of their season opening match, but they would not be heard from again. In a contest that finished with a total of three goals recorded, the Ironmen dropped an 4-2 decision at the hands of the Chicago Storm at Prudential Center.
Things appeared to be on the right track when the hometown crowd saw the 2008-09 season start the same way as the last season ended, with Neto banging home two points. The difference this year is the Brazilian striker is donning the Maroon and Mandarin colors of the Ironmen, and he made good on a Goran Vasic feed in the second minute to net the first points for New Jersey as charter members of the Xtreme Soccer League. Storm forward Zlatko Zebich set up striker Chris Cerroni shortly thereafter to equalize for Chicago, and the 2-2 tally held until the final seconds ticked off the opening frame.
A scoreless second period followed the first frame, as both offenses struggled to find holes in the defense opposition. Both clubs saw impressive play from their respective goalkeepers, and the two sides entered intermission knotted at two points each.
The scoring drought continued for another 15 minutes in the third quarter, and a rare count of 2-2 stood on the scoreboard as the two teams headed into the final stanza.
After 40:34 of play with no goals, Storm forward Awadalla Morad finally found the back of the net when he finished a pass from midfielder Fabinho, giving Chicago a two-point edge, 4-2. Minutes later, a handball penalty on Ironmen netminder Brett Phillips gave the Storm a one-on-one free kick, but Ironmen goalkeeper Patrick Hannigan came onto the field to make an outstanding save on the Chicago opportunity.
Taking the loss in net for the Ironmen was Phillips while Storm goalkeeper Jeff Richey registered 18 saves to pick up his first win of the season. New Jersey looks to regroup this Saturday on the road when they face the Detroit Ignition. Fans can follow the game live via B2 Networks.
Xtreme Soccer League Stories from December 14, 2008
- Ironmen Suffer Loss to Chicago in Season Opener - New Jersey Ironmen
- Storm Win Xtreme Soccer League Season Opener - Chicago Storm
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