Rampage Comeback Halted By KiXX

January 10, 2010 - Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL)
Rockford Rampage News Release


ROCKFORD, Ill. -- The Rockford Rampage nearly overcame an eight-point deficit but came up just short as the Philadelphia KiXX defeated Rockford, 10-9, on Sunday in Major Indoor Soccer League play at the MetroCentre.

The Rampage loss is their third straight as they fall below.500 for the first time this season at 3-4. Three of their four losses have come against the KiXX, who improve to 3-5.

Next up for the Rampage is the start of another home-and-home series next weekend against the Milwaukee Wave. Rockford hosts the Wave at 7:05 p.m. Saturday at the MetroCentre. The two teams then square off at 2 p.m. on Sunday at the U.S. Cellular Arena in Milwaukee.

On Sunday, Rockford's Matthew Stewart scored two goals and Semir Mesanovic had a three-point goal and two assists. For Philadelphia, Pat Morris had two power play goals and Leo Gibson had what turned out to be the game-winner early in the fourth quarter.

Philadelphia got on the scoreboard early with a Ryan Heins goal off of a Rey Martinez assist at the 1:56 mark to take a 2-0 lead. Shortly after their power play opportunity expired, the KiXX still found the back of the net with a Morris goal off of a Sandre Naumoski assist at the 7:51 mark.

The KiXX extended their lead to 6-0 at the 1:20 mark of the second quarter with a Joe Taylor goal, with Gibson assisting. Following a penalty by the Rampage's Fabinho, the KiXX scored 2 seconds into the power play at the 3:57 mark with Morris' second goal. Adauto Neto assisted the tally as Philadelphia grabbed the 8-0 advantage.

Rockford cut into Philadelphia's lead at the 1:05 mark of the third quarter when Stewart blasted a shot past KiXX goalkeeper Sanaldo for a power play goal, with Mesanovic assisting, to cut the deficit to 8-2.

In the fourth, the KiXX's Gibson responded 46 seconds into the final quarter to extend Philadelphia's lead to 10-2.

The Rampage countered in a big way with three unanswered goals. Stewart netted a power play goal at the 5:40 mark and Marco Sullo garnered his first goal of the season at the 5:50 mark to cut Philadelphia's lead to 10-6. Then with about 3 minutes remaining, Fabinho was brought on as a sixth attacker and at the 12:53 mark Mesanovic struck with a three-pointer to bring the Rampage within one point.

Rockford had several scoring chances in the final 2 minutes but the KiXX held on for their third win of the season and their third victory against the Rampage this season.

In the net, Rampage goalkeeper Danny Waltman made six saves and the KiXX's Sanaldo had 17.



Major Indoor Soccer League Stories from January 10, 2010


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