KiXX comeback bests Heat

by David W. Unkle
Published on February 23, 2003 under Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)

(PHILADELPHIA)—The Philadelphia KiXX, not known for their strong starts, held true to form and played catch-up soccer most of the game Sunday, but it was Don D'Ambra's follow-up on a Goran Vasic shot with 10.5 seconds left that made the difference as the KiXX dropped the Harrisburg Heat 7-6.

After losing their last two games on the road and being outscored 34-28 in the process, Philadelphia welcomed their return home where they have been unbeatable since last season.

"We lost two games on the road last weekend and right now we're not in rhythm," said KiXX Head Coach Don D'Ambra. "We were trying to find ourselves the whole game."

After spotting Harrisburg a 4-0 lead on first quarter goals by Ze Roberto and Chris Mormon, the KiXX came back in the second quarter to tie it up but lost MISL All-Star forward and their leading scorer Joel Shanker in the process.

Pat Morris put Philadelphia on the board at 3:01 of the second quarter with the Heat's Genoni Martinez in the box for pushing, with his 14th two-point goal of the season on the re-start from Goran Vasic.

Midway through the quarter, Shanker got tied up in front of the Harrisburg goal with Heat defenseman Neil Gilbert and left the game with an injury to his left ankle. He would not return.

Vasic gave Philadelphia its first lead of the afternoon with a three-point goal just outside the top of the arc. For Vasic, it was only his second 3PG of the year and his 11th of the season.

Philadelphia wanted to add to its season-long dominance of their opponents in the second quarter, and Harrisburg appeared ripe for the picking. Prior to this afternoon's game, the KiXX have outscored their opponents 99-45 while the Heat have been outscored 105-78.

But Kevin Burk's header over KiXX goalkeeper Peter Pappas with just under two minutes to go in the first half put the visitors back on top, setting the stage for an upset. Heat goalkeeper Chris Damico started the play with a perfect toss to Burk who strategically positioned himself to the right of Pappas.

Neither team scored in the third quarter with both goalkeepers keeping the score 6-5.

Chris Handsor put the potential game-winner on Vasic's foot with Damico out of position, but the KiXX couldn't convert and looked ready to lose at home for the first time this season.

With the sixth attacker on and 10.5 seconds to go, Vasic's shot off of the glass rebounded out to Don D'Ambra who one-timed it past Damico for the 7-6 lead and the win.

"We had no timeouts left and luckily they hit the ball out of bounds with ten seconds left," said D'Ambra. "We told Goran to put it off the glass and we were going to have three guys crash. Chris (Handsor) went first, I came in second and (Shawn) Boney was behind me. It's tough to keep track of your marks with everyone crashing. It was a fortunate finsh."

But the Heat didn't go out quietly.

Following the final buzzer, Harrisburg's Genoni Martinez and Philadelphia's Edgar Bartolomeu exchanged pleasantries and a baseball-like brawl quickly ensued.

"It's just adrenaline at the end of the game," said D'Ambra. "(Harrisburg) is fighting for a playoff spot and they just lost with seconds to go and our adrenaline is pumping because we just won the game. You just have to be classier."

Spring training has started and the baseball season is not that far away.

Fans can visit the Philadelphia KiXX website for schedule and ticket information at: www.kixxonline.com and www.heatsoccer.com for the Harrisburg Heat.

SCORING
First Quarter: HAR Roberto (Gilbert) 2:14; HAR Mormon (Vignjevic) 7:22.
Second Quarter: PHL Morris (Vasic) 3:01; PHL Vasic (Lunsford) 10:08; HAR Burk (Damico) 13:05.
Third Quarter: none.
Fourth Quarter: PHL D'Ambra (Vasic) 14:49.

SCORE BY QUARTER:

Harrisburg:     4-2-0-0
Philadelphia:   0-5-0-2

SHOTS ON GOAL:

Harrisburg:     6-6-4-5
Philadelphia:   6-10-4-10

FOULS:

Harrisburg:     2-1-3-2
Philadelphia:   4-4-3-6

PENALTIES:
1st Quarter: HAR Martinez (pushing) 1:46.
2nd Quarter: HAR Martinez (tripping) 3:26.
3rd Quarter: none.
4th Quarter: PHL Bench Minor, served by Lunsford (too many men on the field) 12:12.

GOALKEEPER DISTRIBUTION:

Harrisburg:     0-2-0-0
Philadelphia:   1-2-3-2

KICK-INS:

Harrisburg:     0-3-0-1
Philadelphia:   2-1-3-3

OFFICIALS: Mark Bailey (Senior Referee); Tim Tyma (Referee); Joe Rudy (Assistant Referee); Hector Montoya (Fourth Official).

ATTENDANCE: 5,347

NOTES:

1. The Philadelphia KiXX own a 15-0 record at home this year and their current win streak stands at 24 games. The KiXX last lost at home since January 26, 2002.
2. After starting the season 18-4 the KiXX have gone 3-3 in their last six games.
3. The KiXX, with a road record of 6-7, play five of their remaining seven games away from the friendly confines of the First Union Spectrum.
4. Harrisburg is 0-6 in contests between the two teams this season. Philadelphia leads the all-time series 31-16 and holds a commanding 16-3 record at home against the Heat.

Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from February 23, 2003

• KiXX comeback bests Heat - OSC Original by David W. Unkle
• Sidekicks lose at Cleveland in overtime - Dallas Sidekicks
• Force Proves To Be Lone Star - Cleveland Force
• Late Goal Sends Heat to Defeat in Philly - Harrisburg Heat

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