KiXX Pull to Winthin One Game of Final Playoff Spot, 17-10 Over New Jersey
March 20, 2008 - Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
Philadelphia KiXX News Release
Philadelphia, PA, March 20, 2008 - The defending MISL Champion Philadelphia KiXX (12-15) defeated the New Jersey Ironmen (13-14) 17-10 to pull to within one-game of the final MISL playoff spot with just three games remaining. The KiXX are chasing the Ironmen, who travel to Detroit and then host Monterrey and Baltimore to round out their schedule. Philadelphia finishes hosting Milwaukee, before traveling to Monterrey and California. If the KiXX and Ironmen should finish with the same record, the KiXX will win the playoff spot by virtue of a 3-0 head-to-head record this season.
After a scoreless first quarter, Ptah Myers scored his 16th of the season on a feed from Tony Donatelli to put Philadelphia up 2-0. Donatelli followed with a goal of his own after a centering pass from fellow Temple graduate and teammate Ryan Heins. Just over two minutes later, the Ironmen would tie the game at 4-4 with two goals 16 seconds apart. Stefan Stokic was credited with his fifth of the season, assisted by former KiXX player/coach Omid Namazi. Frederico Moojen followed with 18th, set-up by Lazo Alavanja. D'Ambra responded with his 18th of the season after a centering pass from KiXX captain Pat Morris. Philadelphia took a 6-4 lead into the locker room at halftime.
With 1:24 remaining in the third quarter, Gordon Kljestan committed a tripping foul, putting the KiXX on the power-play. D'Ambra capitalized 23 seconds later, giving the KiXX an 8-4 lead heading into the final frame. Donatelli was given his second assist of the night.
Ironmen leading goal scorer and former KiXX player Dan Antoniuk brought New Jersey to within two points with his 36th of the season, assisted by Alavanja, his second of the night. Morris ripped a shot from the left point past New Jersey keeper Tony Meola, a three-point goal, to give the KiXX some breathing room, 11-6 with 8:02 remaining. Donatelli was credited with his third assist of the night. New Jersey pulled Meola with 3:28 remaining in favor of the 6th attacker, Alavanja. With 1:33 remaining in the game, Moojen recorded his second goal of the night, assisted by newcomer Craig Scheer. Ptah Myers and Tony Donatelli would answer with their second goals of the night each, both empty-net, three-point goals to give the KiXX a comfortable lead at 17-8. Antoniuk would tack on another with 37 seconds left, giving him a share of the MISL lead in goals with 37.
Notes: KiXX midfielder Angel Rivillo played in the 100th game of his career. Jonathan Steele missed action serving a suspension after receiving a red card on March 7 in Baltimore.
Scoring Attn Shots PIM PP W/L Goalie
Philadelphia 0-6-2-9 18 4 1-2 Pappas (9-10)
New Jersey 0-4-0-6 28 9 1-2 Meola (10-9)
Philadelphia: Myers (3PG, 2PG), Donatelli (3PG, 2PG, 2A), Heins (A), D'Ambra (2PG), Morris (3PG, A)
New Jersey: Stokic (2PG, A), Moojen (2-2PG), Alavanja (2A), Namazi (A), Antoniuk (2-2PG), Scheer (A)
The KiXX return home on March 29 to host the first-place Milwaukee Wave. "Fan Appreciation Night" at the Wachovia Spectrum is set for 7:05pm ET. Philadelphia will round out the regular season schedule with two road games, April 3 in Monterrey against the La Raza at 10:35pm ET and April 5 in California against the Cougars at 10:15pm ET.
Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from March 20, 2008
- Ironmen Fall to KiXX in Critical Late Season Match Up - New Jersey Ironmen
- KiXX Pull to Winthin One Game of Final Playoff Spot, 17-10 Over New Jersey - Philadelphia KiXX
- Cougars Weekly Report - California Cougars
- Coach's Corner, with Chicago Storm head coach Steve Morris - Chicago Storm
- Ignition Weekly - Detroit Ignition
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