Milwaukee loss on Sunday would clinch Championship for Detroit
March 27, 2009 - Xtreme Soccer League (XSL)
Detroit Ignition News Release
(Newark, NJ - March 27, 2009) - With a 12-6 win over the New Jersey Ironmen (8-9), the Detroit Ignition (11-7) moved one giant step closer to capturing the XSL Championship. A loss by the Milwaukee Wave (9-8) on Sunday would clinch the title for Detroit; the Ironmen were eliminated from the title chase with their loss tonight.
The Ironmen dominated the time of possession in the first quarter, but were only able to get one shot past Danny Waltman - a two-pointer from Shaun David at 4:37. Ryan Mack scored the equalizing goal for Detroit just over a minute into the second off a ball from Miki Djerisilo. The Ironmen were able to re-claim their two-point advantage on a power play, but Josh Rife buried a three-point score as the half came to a close to give Detroit a 5-4 lead.
The third quarter was relatively quiet, and neither team was able to score for nearly 13 minutes. As the clock wound down, Ignition midfielder Miki Djerisilo fired a shot that ricocheted off the cross bar right into Mike Apple, who was able to put it into the net. The Djerisilo to Apple act struck again 22 seconds into the fourth, as Apple put another one past Brett Phillips to put the Ignition up 9-4. Halfway through the quarter, Mack buried a huge three-pointer from behind the yellow line to give the Ignition an eight point lead. The Ironmen were able to tally a last-minute goal with Chile Farias in as the sixth attacker, but it wasn't enough to keep their title hopes alive.
The Ignition have the rest of the weekend off, but will return to Compuware Arena next Friday, April 3 for their last home game of the season. Kick off against the Chicago Storm is at 7:35 pm.
The Detroit Ignition is a charter member of the Xtreme Soccer League, and begins the team's third season in December 2008 after completing the 2007-08 season as regular-season champions of the Major Indoor Soccer
Xtreme Soccer League Stories from March 27, 2009
- Ignition end Ironmen championship hopes - New Jersey Ironmen
- Milwaukee loss on Sunday would clinch Championship for Detroit - Detroit Ignition
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