Storm Falls 18-11 to Philadelphia

Published on March 10, 2007 under Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
Chicago Storm News Release


The Chicago Storm spotted the Philadelphia KiXX 10 points before battling back and out shooting the KiXX 29 to 25. Unfortunately the disparity in shots and a hat trick by Storm midfielder Mariano Bollella was not enough to get Chicago the win, as they fell 18-11 at the Sears Centre Saturday afternoon.

For the first half and three minutes into the third quarter, the KiXX scored five unanswered goals to go up 10-0 before Chicago's offense came alive. Philadelphia notched goals by Don D'Ambra and Genoni Martinez in the first quarter, John Barry Nusum in the second and Steve Wacker and Ptah Myers in the opening minutes of the third.

D'Ambra's goal was a controversial restart with a second left in the first quarter, where it seemed as if time had expired but the officials credited Philadelphia with the goal.

It took a power play goal from rookie Stephen Armstrong to start a four goal effort for the Storm in the third quarter. After Nusum received a two minute penalty for tripping, Armstrong took a pass from midfield/forward John Ball and he rocketed a left footed shot beating KiXX goalkeeper Peter Pappas, continuing Stephen's streak of scoring a goal in every game versus Philadelphia this season.

The goal inspired the rest of his teammates. Four minutes later defender Rndy Soderman blasted a shot on goal, Pappas deflected the ball into the air where forward Jorge Valle leapt up in the air and scissored a right footer into the net.

A minute later Argentinean midfielder Mariano Bollella watched as target man Chris Handsor held on to the ball for the Storm. As all the attention was on Handsor, Bollella worked his way to the far post where Chris sent him the ball and Bollella tapped in his first of the night, drawing the Storm to within four, 10-6.

D'Ambra put another two points on the board for the KiXX before Bollella struck again. Philadelphia ‘keeper Pappas threw the ball right to the foot of Mariano, just outside the three-point arch. The six year veteran capitalized on the mistake and lofted a shot over Pappas and in for his ninth goal of the season and his first three-pointer of the year.

Things looked as if Chicago was going to complete the come from behind as they continued to score in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter. Defender Branko Savic sent a pass down the left boards to Bollella who sent the shot around the boards. The ball got passed Pappas and ricocheted off of a KiXX defender as he fought for position with Chris Handsor. Bollella's third goal drew the Storm to within one goal 12-11.

The comeback fell short when Philadelphia defender Pat Morris blasted a ball from outside the three-point arch passed Storm goalkeeper Jeff Richey who came in for Jim Larkin after Larkin played the first three quarters. The KiXX added a insurance goal as Edgar Bartolomeu shot a long empty netter after the Storm pulled the ‘keeper to finish the game at 18-11. Neither team has time to dwell on the game as Chicago takes on the first place Detroit Ignition tomorrow at the Sears Centre and Philadelphia travels to Milwaukee to take on the Wave Sunday night.

News and Notes: Mariano Bollella scored his first hat trick of the season... Today's game marks the first that target man Mark Ughy has not scored a goal for the Storm since returning from having his knee scoped (five straight games) ... During the halftime of the Storm game, Chicago hosted a media versus mascot game featuring radio hosts, newspaper columnists and mascots from the Chicago Rush, Chicago White Sox, the Nine FM, the Milwaukee Wave and of course the Storm's own Striker... Today's game also marks the first in which a fan (Jason) asked his girlfriend (Tori) to marry him. She said yes.

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Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from March 10, 2007


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