Storm Lose 10-8 to Philadelphia
Published on December 29, 2006 under Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
Chicago Storm News Release
HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL. - Friday night's match up was a tale of two halves. A first half in which the Storm dominated offensively out shooting the Philadelphia KiXX 19-9. A first half in which the Storm capitalized on power plays, shutout the KiXX in the first quarter and looked to extend their first place lead in the MISL over Philadelphia, who trailed the Storm by half a game going into the night. However the second half saw the KiXX convert on three Storm penalties to win the game 10-8 a gain control over the MISL by half a game over Chicago.
The Storm came charging out offensively to start the game off. At the six second mark of the game, Philadelphia defender Casey Barton was charged with tripping Chicago forward Awadalla Morad, resulting in a Storm power play. Chicago took shot after shot until midfielder Mariano Bollella passed the ball off the wall to reigning MISL Offensive Player of the Week Stephen Armstrong who blasted a left footed shot past Philadelphia 'keeper Peter Pappas for the 2-0 lead.
Bollella would earn his 12th assist on the season two and a half minutes later. This time he found target man Mark Ughy in the center of the arch. Ughy fended off a defender, shielding the ball from Philadelphia and deftly spun to his left and let go a left footer for his tenth goal on the season.
Chicago would finish their first half scoring in the second quarter when defender Branko Savic shot a ball towards Pappas who could not handle the deflection. The ball dropped to the foot of midfielder Matthew Stewart who lifted the ball over the Philadelphia goalkeeper and into the net, for his second goal in as many games.
After blocking eight shots in the first half, the reigning MISL Goalkeeper of the Week, Chicago's Jim Larkin was beaten in a scramble in front of thee net. It was former Storm midfielder Sandre Naumoski who poked the ball in for the first Philadelphia goal on the night, cutting Chicago's lead to 6-2 going into the half.
Sloppy play plagued the remainder of the game for the Storm. First KiXX head coach/forward Don D'Ambra scored off a blast that deflected off of Chicago defender Fabinho. However Chicago countered back with a little luck as well. Nineteen seconds later, the reigning MISL Defender of the Week Randy Soderman ripped a shot that went off of Philadelphia defender Genoni Martinez to make the score 8-4.
Then the penalty plague swept over Chicago. Target man Mark Ughy was called for an accumulation penalty, four penalties in a half, which resulted in a Philadelphia poweer play that John Barry Nusum converted. Then Jim Larkin was called on a questionable hand ball outside the area call. That power play was scored by Don D'Ambra on back up 'keeper Jeff Richey who was in as Larkin served the penalty. The goal resulted in a 8-8 tie.
Finally Storm defender Branko Savic was called for tripping. As he marked Nussum, the Bermudan forward turned and beat Savic who tripped Nusum rather than giving him a clear shot. On the ensuing power play Dino Dilevski took the restart and buried it in the top left hand corner for the game winner, 10-8 in favor of the KiXX.
The win resulted in a flip of positions atop the MISL. Chicago is now a half game back of the KiXX for first place in the league. However neither team has time to contemplate the game. Chicago plays Saturday afternoon at the Sears Centre versus the Baltimore Blast and the KiXX travel to Milwaukee to take on the Wave Sunday evening.
In his post game press conference Storm head coach Steve Morris challenged his players. "We're going to see tomorrow what some of these guys are made of. It's easy to stay up until one a.m. and relive the lost. What I want is guys who get that out of their heads and come back tomorrow ready to go."
News and Notes: Forward Stephen Armstrong has now scored four goals in the last two games... Jorge Valle had a career high three blocked shots Friday night... Mariano Bollella had two assists on the night, raising his number to 12 on the season. The loss marks the first time this season that Chicago is not in first place in the MISL.
Scoring Summary:
Storm Goal: 2:01 First Quarter, Stephen Armstrong, PPG (Mariano Bollella)
Storm Goal: 4:40 First Quarter, Mark Ughy, (Mariano Bollella)
Storm Goal: 9:57 First Quarter, Matthew Stewart (Branko Savic)
KiXX Goal: 12:26 Second Quarter, Sandre Naumoski (Tony Donatelli)
KiXX Goal: :41 Third Quarter, Don D'Ambra Storm Goal: 1:12 Third Quarter, Randy Soderman
KiXX Goal: 12:54 Third Quarter, John Barry Nusum, PPG (Dino Dilevski) KiXX Goal: 4:39 Fourth Quarter, Don D'Ambra, PPG (Tony Donatelli)
KiXX Goal; 13:38 Fourth Quarter, Dino Dilevski, PPG (Genoni Martinez)
The Chicago Storm is a member of the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL). Chicago's professional indoor soccer team, plays its' home games at the all-new Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates. The Storm's next home game is Friday, December 29th, versus the Philadelphia KiXX. Great tickets are available! Storm offices are located at 1945 Cornell Ave., in Melrose Park. For additional information on all aspects of Chicago Storm soccer including season tickets, group outings, birthday parties and Chicago Storm Summer Soccer Camps call (224) 653-GOAL (4625).
Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from December 29, 2006
- Detroit falls to California, 12-10 - Detroit Ignition
- Storm Lose 10-8 to Philadelphia - Chicago Storm
- KiXX Move into First Place with 10-8 Win in Chicago - Philadelphia KiXX
- MISL to Revise Format for 2007 All-Star Weekend with "Stars of Mexico Tour" in Multiple MISL Markets - MISL 2
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