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Lightning Down Kansas Magic, 8-6, to Wrap Up Weekend Road Trip

December 4, 2011 - Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL)
Louisville Lightning News Release


The Louisville Lightning return home to start a new winning streak next weekend. After dropping Friday's game against the Illinois Piasa, the Lightning split the weekend road trip, downing the Kansas Magic 8-6 Saturday night in Kansas City. Louisville improves to 3-2 on the season with the victory.

Louisville came from behind Saturday, overcoming an early deficit and a 3-2 Magic advantage at halftime to hand Kansas its first loss of the season. Tee Shipalane led the way, scoring two goals en route to the victory.

Early on, it looked as if Kansas would control the game. Mirsad Dzilic scored at the 2:38 mark of the first quarter to put the Magic on top 1-0. It would be nearly ten minutes later before either team could find the back of the net, but the Lightning were able to equalize. Ross Hopkins sailed one past goalkeeper Jason Jacob on an unassisted effort with just over two minutes remaining in the first to make it a 1-1 match.

Just under three minutes into the second period, Louisville's Tee Shipalane would score an unassisted goal to give the Lightning its first lead of the night. It wouldn't last long, however. After a blue card to Louisville's Ross Hopkins, the Magic would earn a power play three and a half minutes in, and the home side would take full advantage of it. James Katajwa put one past Louisville's Keith O'Loane just under seven minutes into the second quarter to make it a 2-2 game.

Twenty seconds after their equalizer, Levi Coleman would score to help Kansas regain the lead, going up 3-2. The two teams would battle in the remaining minutes, but both defenses held steady through the second quarter. A blue card to Louisville's Keith O'Loane with just under a minute left would give Kansas another power play opportunity, but the Lightning defense took control, keeping Kansas from finding the back of the net in the final moments. The two teams went into halftime with Kansas leading 3-2.

It wouldn't take long after the break before Kansas would double their lead. Continuing their power play from O'Loane's first half blue card, the Magic would take advantage as Matt Germain would set up Chaz O'Dell to score against the short-handed Lightning, making it 4-2 just 41 seconds into the second half.

A minute later, Louisville's Tee Shipalane would pull one back and get Louisville back into the game, scoring on a tremendous effort to make it 4-3 in the third quarter. Colin Bulwich would propel Kansas again, however, converting on a scoring opportunity to put the Magic up 5-3 just under eight and half minutes into the third period.

The Lightning would use their opportunities wisely as the second half wore on Saturday. After Kansas picked up a blue card for their sixth foul, Louisville would earn a power play. Charlie Campbell would score just before the end of the third quarter to make it 5-4, and the two teams would head into the final period with that scoreline.

As the fourth quarter opened, it looked like Kansas would roll to a perfect 4-0 record on the season. Brett Porter found Bryan Williams for a shot past Keith O'Loane to give the Magic a 6-4 lead less than a minute into the final period.

Louisville would change the game and the momentum, however. Down 6-4, the Lightning defense stepped up, preventing the Magic from creating scoring opportunities in the final period. Just as the defense increased its intensity, the Lightning's veteran playmakers did as well. First, Louisville rookie Corey Maret would continue his fantastic debut season with the club, however, scoring to make it 6-5 four minutes in. Just 27 seconds later, Charlie Campbell would hit the back of the net on an unassisted effort to even things up at 6-6. Louisville wouldn't look back from that point on, and the Lightning would not allow another goal on the night.

The Lightning couldn't convert on a power play opportunity midway through the period, but the Magic would give the visitors a little help. Charlie Campbell helped set up an own-goal off a Magic player, giving Louisville the 7-6 lead late.

Facing a one-goal deficit late, Kansas would push a sixth attacker forward in the final moments on a power play opportunity. Instead of taking advantage, Louisville would put the game out of reach. Former University of Louisville star Ryan McDonald would score a short-handed goal with just 35 seconds remaining to make it 8-6.

Brett Porter would get a blue card for tripping with just nine seconds remaining, giving Louisville a power play opportunity in the closing moments. The Lightning would use stellar defense and run out the clock Saturday, earning the 8-6 lead on the road. The Lightning improve to 3-2 on the season with the win. Kansas drops its first game of the season, falling to 3-1.

Goalkeeper Jason Jacob had 17 saves on the night for Kansas. Louisville was led by Tee Shipalane, who scored two goals to lead the visitors. Nick Garcia and Colin Bulwich each finished with four blocks for the Magic.

Louisville now returns home to face the Indy Elite in a US Open game. That match will be played on Friday, December 9th at Mockingbird Valley Sports Complex. Kickoff is set for 7:30 PM.

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