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Soul Suffer Heartbreaking Loss to Rochester Lancers in Home Debut

December 8, 2012 - Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL)
Chicago Soul FC News Release


CHICAGO -- The Chicago Soul (2-6) faced a devastating loss to the Rochester Lancers (4-3) in their home opener on Friday night at the Sears Centre Arena. After hanging close in the first half and dominating most of the second, the Soul were stunned by a late Lancer rally that featured a game-winner by Mauricio Salles in the final seconds, and Chicago was forced to accept a 13-11 defeat to Rochester.

Christian Meza

The first half proved to be a back-and-forth battle as both teams took turns getting their side on the board. The Soul struck first with Carlos Muñoz finding the net early on to make it 2-0. The Lancers quickly evened the playing field on a goal by Jeremy Ortiz. Chicago answered right back when Christian Meza blasted the ball past Rochester goalkeeper Gavin McInerney, making it a 4-2 Soul advantage. The Lancers came up with an answer of their own on the other end as Salles netted one in to tie it up at 4-4. Bato Radoncic put the Soul back on top 6-4, but Rochester's Doug Miller tied the score up once again, and both squads headed to the locker rooms at six a piece.

The Soul opened up third quarter scoring with Meza's second goal of the night on a power play advantage, and Chicago took an 8-6 lead. Meza then struck again, this time from the three-point range, to complete his hat trick and extend the Soul's lead to 11-6.

Ortiz managed to close the gap in the fourth quarter with a goal for the Lancers, making it an 11-8 Soul advantage. Rochester then pulled Ortiz in as a sixth attacker, and Stephen Basso was able to score to make it a one-point game. Salles put the game away with 11 seconds remaining, firing in a three-pointer to put the Lancers on top 13-11.

"We have to learn how to put the game away," said Soul Head Coach Manny Rojas. "We had the score in our favor near the end, and we failed to maintain and capitalize. We missed a lot of opportunities on our end. I think it came down to a matter of confidence. We lost it, and now we have to find a way to get it back if we want to turn things around."

The Soul will look to make a quick turnaround as they head back out on the road on Sunday. The squad will travel to Kansas City to take on the Missouri Comets. Kickoff is set for 3:10 p.m. CT.

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