Record Crowd Cheers on the SharX
Published on January 21, 2012 under Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL)
Norfolk SharX News Release
Norfolk, Virginia - The Norfolk SharX played a great game Saturday night at Norfolk Scope Arena in front of 3,422 screaming fans but couldn't come away with the win, losing to Missouri 14-6. The score did not reflect the SharX level of play. There were spectacular offensive and defensive plays except where it counted, putting the ball in the back of the net.
This was the team's second match in less than 24 hours - the SharX returned from Baltimore in the wee hours of the morning Saturday after a game Friday night. But Norfolk played intense good soccer against Missouri, including a bicycle kick defensive clearance by Andrew Marshall that had the crowd on their feet. Goalkeeper Jamie Lieberman was again solid in goal making 17 saves on the night - saves that had fans on their feet, as well.
The game flew from one end of the pitch to the other at a frenzied pace with the Comets taking the lead in the 5th minute on a goal by Bato Radoncic assisted by Ryan Junge. But the SharX answered six minutes later when a beautiful throw by Lieberman found Tennant McVey who one-touched the ball past Missouri keeper Danny Waltman. Missouri went back on top just before the end of the first quarter on a goal by Geison and the period ended 4-2. Only Missouri was able to get on the board in the second quarter with Jung's goal on a restart with an assist by Byron Alvarez and the half ended 6-2.
Norfolk's Gary Brooks got a goal and an assist in the third period scoring just 44 seconds in with an assist by Marshall and then assisted on Matt Clare's goal from the top of the box in the ninth minute. But Missouri's Tiguinho had scored on a restart just a minute earlier and the third ended 8-6 putting the SharX within distance.
Missouri put the game away in the fourth period scoring three times - Radoncic's and Geison's second goal of the night coupled with a Brian Harris score ended the SharX hopes for a comeback. Shots were close at 24-21 Missouri.
"I thought they were a very good team," said head coach Jon Hall. "And we showed commitment and desire that we didn't' show in Baltimore on Friday. We came up against a very strong team that had to work very hard to beat us. Their goalkeeper was inspired. We had our chances and if we had taken those chances, we might have had a different result."
The SharX are on the road again on January 27 when they travel back to Baltimore for a 7:35 kickoff with the Blast and return home on January 29 against Rochester at 7 p.m.
For more information about the Norfolk SharX, Norfolk's newest professional sports team, including sponsorships, tickets, internships or to volunteer, please call 757-419-3317 or visit www.norfolksharx.com.
Major Indoor Soccer League Stories from January 21, 2012
- Wings Fall Short in Second Wave Matchup - Wichita Wings
- Comets Take Down Sharx - Kansas City Comets
- Wave Bounce Back with Win Over Wings - Milwaukee Wave
- Record Crowd Cheers on the SharX - Norfolk SharX
- Silver Knights Lose Overtime Heartbreaker to Thruway - Syracuse Silver Knights
- Lancers Win 12-10 in Overtime Over the Syracuse Silver Knights - Rochester Lancers
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