KiXX Fall in Milwaukee, 7-5

January 14, 2005 - Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
Philadelphia KiXX News Release


Philadelphia, PA – The Philadelphia KiXX (11-7) dropped a 7-5 decision to the Milwaukee Wave (11-6) in front of 2,222 fans at the U.S. Cellular Arena tonight. Michael King recorded the game-winning goal on an assist from Greg Howes at 7:03 of the fourth quarter. Peter Pappas (9-6) took the loss between the posts for Philadelphia, turning away 15 of the 21 shots he faced, while Nick Vorberg (9-2) earned the victory for the Wave with 19 saves on 23 chances.

Milwaukee bolted out of the gates with four unanswered goals in the first quarter of action. Midfielder Semir Mesanovic opened the scoring on a pass from King at 4:45, followed by a notch from Angel Rivillo on an assist from Joe Hammes at 8:10 of the period. Two minutes later (10:10), newcomer Ricardinho then extended Milwaukee's advantage, 3-0, on a dish from Kevin Burk. Reigning Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) MVP Greg Howes concluded the first-quarter scoring with an unassisted goal at 11:39.

Wave midfielder Nino Marcantonio continued Milwaukee's offensive onslaught with the team's fifth unanswered goal, a power-play tally on a dish from teammate Guiliano Oliviero at 1:50 of the second quarter; the Wave received the one-man advantage after midfielder Ze Roberto was called for a two-minute boarding infraction. KiXX forward Joel Shanker finally ended the club's scoring drought with a tally from defender Pat Morris at 5:40. Shanker returned to action tonight after missing the team's previous 10 contests with a groin injury.

KiXX rookie forward John Barry Nusum converted an unassisted power-play goal at 2:39 of the third stanza, courtesy of a two-minute tripping penalty called on Vorberg. Philadelphia then cut the deficit to two, 5-3, as Morris intercepted a pass in Milwaukee's end and found forward Goran Vasic in front of the net at 11:08.

Forward Gary Brooks then pulled Philadelphia within one, 5-4, with an unassisted score at 4:48 of the final period of play. King ended Philadelphia's comeback with a notch on a dish from Howes at 7:03. Milwaukee then extended their lead back to three, 7-4, as defender Chris Morman blasted a restart goal just inside the crossbar at 11:11 of the quarter. KiXX assistant coach/player Kevin Sloan quickly responded to pull Philadelphia within two on a pass from player/coach Don D'Ambra at 12:10, but the Wave held on to earn a 7-5 victory.

Notes: Philadelphia was held without a goal in the opening quarter for the third consecutive contest; the team's record in those games is 2-1. KiXX forward Joel Shanker returned to action tonight after missing the team's previous 10 contests with a groin injury. All-Star defender Pat Morris extended his scoring streak to nine games with a pair of assists.

Boxscore:

Attendance: 2,222

Philadelphia: 0-1-2-2=5 Shots: 37

Goalkeepers: Pappas (L, 15 saves).

Scorers: Morris (two assists), Brooks (goal), D'Ambra (assists), Nusum (goal), Shanker (goal), Sloan (goal), Vasic (goal).

Milwaukee: 4-1-0-2=7 Shots: 27

Goalkeepers: Vorberg (W, 19 saves)

Scorers: Howes (goal, assist), King (goal, assist), Burk (assist), Hammes (assist), Marcantonio (goal), Mesanovic (goal), Morman (goal), Oliviero (assist), Ricardinho (goal), Rivillo (goal).

The KiXX conclude their three-game road trip with a visit to the 1st Mariner Arena to battle the two-time defending Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) Champion Baltimore Blast on Friday, January 21. Game-time is scheduled for 7:35 pm ET, with the action available live via webcast at www.pennlive.com/wmss. The club then returns to the friendly confines of the Wachovia Spectrum on Saturday, January 22 to entertain the St. Louis Steamers. The first 3,000 fans, 14 and under, will receive a complimentary Don D'Ambra Bobblehead Doll, courtesy of EwingCole. For additional information or to purchase tickets, please contact the club's Executive Office at 1-888-888-KiXX (5499) or visit www.kixxonline.com.

The Philadelphia KiXX are a member of the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL), a single-entity organization that features a coast-to-coast presence across the United States. The club is currently in the midst of its ninth season of play in 2004-05 at the Wachovia Spectrum located in Philadelphia, PA. The team also operates the Philadelphia KiXX Summer Kamp program, which is offered to boys and girls, ages four to 18, throughout the Tri-State area. For more information, please contact David Deal, KiXX Director of Communications, at (215) 952-5431 or via cell at (267) 688-4127. The Communications Department can also be reached via email at ddeal@kixxonline.com.



Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from January 14, 2005


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