Mustangs Take 5-4 OT Victory over Rochester
January 4, 2015 - Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)
Chicago Mustangs News Release
Hoffman Estates, IL- The Chicago Mustangs, proud members of the Major Arena Soccer League (www.MASLSoccer.com), defeated the Rochester Lancers 5-4 in overtime Sunday afternoon at the Sears Centre Arena.
It was cold and snowing outside, but the Mustangs came out on fire in the first period. Continuing where he left off last night, forward Ewerton Moreira started the scoring on a free kick just 5 minutes into the game. The goal was his 8th on the season and 6th in 2 games. Moreira saw another great chance just 2 minutes later on the power play as he booted a long shot that deflected off the body of midfielder Miguel Vaca and into the back of the net for his 12th of the year and a 2-0 lead.
Rochester saw several opportunities early in the 2nd quarter but were turned away often by Mustangs goalie Jesus Flores including a great kick save to end the attack. The Lancers were finally able to break through 5 minutes into the quarter when forward Andrew Hoxie lifted his 5th goal of the season past Flores on an assist from forward and Rochester coach Doug Miller to cut the lead in half.
Both teams came out of the half with an increased sense of physicality as they battled back and forth and 1 minute into the 3rd quarter Rochester was able to tie it up on an unassisted strike from forward Mauricio Salles for his 18th of the season. Who else but Ewerton Moreira to stay hot and stop the Lancers' momentum? Moreira was the recipient of a beautiful tic-tac-toe pass from Vaca and forward Semir Mesanovic as he tapped it past Rochester's goalie to re-take the 1 goal lead. Just 3 minutes later the Mustangs were able to extend the lead to 2 goals when midfielder Bogar Moreno fired an inside shot into the back of the net for his 4th goal of the season. Midfielder Victor Sanchez assisted on the play. A short 30 seconds later the Lancers tried to stifle Chicago's momentum when Miller and Hoxie connected for another goal to bring Rochester within 1 score as the quarter came to close.
The Lancers were able to tie it up at 4 just 2 minutes into the 4th quarter when forward Joey Tavernese went upper 90 on the far side to beat Flores for his 9th goal of the year. The rest of the 4th was quiet as both teams traded opportunities but Flores and Lancers goalie Marcelo Moreira buckled down and kept the opposition out of the net to end regulation in a 4-4 tie and force overtime. Overtime featured plenty of fireworks as neither team was ready to concede. Flores made 2 amazing saves to keep the Mustangs alive including a full extension punch that floated back towards the net and was cleared by defenseman Guilherme Veiga. The heroes of last night's game hooked up 6 minutes into overtime as Moreira slid a pass to midfielder Victor Sanchez who fired a perfect shot into the goal to secure the victory for the Mustangs.
Offensive Player of the Game: Hewerton Moreira, forward - 2 goals, 2 assists, 2 blocks
Defensive Player of the Game: Jesus Flores, goalie - 20 saves
Click here to view the full game sheet
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The Mustangs return home Sunday, January 18th at 3:05pm at the Sears Centre Arena against the Tulsa Revolution. Visit the Sears Centre box office, call the Mustangs front office at (847) 805-6633 or visit us on the web at www.chicagomustangspro.com for all of your ticket needs.
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