Philadelphia's playoff hopes dwindle with loss and New Jersey win
March 29, 2008 - Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
Philadelphia KiXX News Release
Philadelphia, PA - The defending MISL Champion Philadelphia KiXX (12-16) lost a critical game to the Milwaukee Wave (20-7), 15-13 in front of 9,429 fans at the Wachovia Spectrum. MISL leading scorer Greg Howes scored a hat trick, including the game-winner in overtime. Sandre Naumoski had sent the game to overtime with just 26 remaining in regulation. With the loss and a New Jersey win tonight, the KiXX fall 1.5 games back of the Ironmen. Philadelphia travels to Monterrey and California on April 3 and 5 to round out the season, while New Jersey finishes against Baltimore on April 4. The KiXX need to win their last two games and hope Baltimore can defeat New Jersey to make the playoffs. If the two teams should end the regular season in a tie, the KiXX will be awarded the final playoff spot by owning the head-to-head season series with the Ironmen, 3-0.
Howes started the game with his 37th goal of the season, a two-pointer just 1:12 into the match. Ptah Myers tied the game at two apiece with his 18th of the season exactly three minutes later, unassisted. Newcomer Casey Barton gave the KiXX their first lead of the game on a three-point blast from the point, set up by Aaron Susi. Barton, a defender from the team's 2007 MISL championship squad, was recently signed by the KiXX for the playoff push.
David Castellanos put the KiXX up 7-2 on his fourth goal of the season at 7:10 of the second quarter, assisted by Tony Donatelli. Donatelli is coming off of an eight-point effort in New Jersey, which included three assists. Warren Ukah's 14th goal pulled the Wave to within three, set-up by Oral Bullen. Troy Dusosky followed with three-point goal to tie the game up at three with only 1:16 remaining in the half. Howes was given the assist.
Howes took the lead back for Milwaukee 6:58 into the third quarter, the Wave's third straight goal and Howes' second of the night.
13 seconds into the final frame, Brett Wiesner gave the Wave their first two-goal lead, his 12th of the season assisted by Ukah. Ptah Myers answered right back for the KiXX 21 seconds later, his second unassisted goal of the night. With the goal, his 19th, Myers took a share of the team-lead with player/coach Don D'Ambra. KiXX captain Pat Morris tied the game up for the KiXX three minutes later, following up on his own rebound for Morris' 14th of the season. With 4:08 remaining, Wiesner buried his second of the night, giving the Wave a 13-11 lead. With the KiXX playoff hopes on the line, Aaron Susi replaced Peter Pappas as sixth attacker. With just 26 seconds remaining in the game, Sandre Naumoski scored his sixth goal of the season to tie the game at 13-13. Donatelli was credited with his second assist.
Greg Howes completed the hat trick in overtime, giving Milwaukee a 15-13 win at the 5:16 mark.
Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from March 29, 2008
- Storm fall to Blast, but attain MISL playoff berth - Chicago Storm
- Antoniuk hits game-winner in La Raza nail biter - New Jersey Ironmen
- Philadelphia's playoff hopes dwindle with loss and New Jersey win - Philadelphia KiXX
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