Storm loses 4-3 OT heartbreaker to Milwaukee

February 20, 2005 - Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
Chicago Storm News Release


Milwaukee, WI (Sunday, February 20, 2005) – The Chicago Storm had their six- game winning streak snapped by the rival Milwaukee Wave after dropping a 4-3 overtime thriller Sunday afternoon at the U.S. Cellular Arena in Milwaukee, WI. The Storm fell to 12-13 in the MISL and into a tie for fourth place with the Kansas City Comets. The Wave improved to 15-10 after forward/midfielder Giuliano Oliviero picked up the game-winning goal at the 2:47 mark in overtime. The regular season I-94 series ends with each team winning four games.

"This was a game of missed opportunities for us today," said Storm Head Coach Frank Klopas. "We gave up too many opportunities and they capitalized. The team played well and it was a great effort. Now, we have to prepare for next week as we have two tough games coming up. We need to stay on track and play well.

Milwaukee defender Chris Morman found Oliviero deep in Storm territory and he rifled a shot past Storm goalkeeper Danny Waltman and into the back of the net to give Milwaukee a 4-3 overtime win.

In the first quarter, both teams were held scoreless. Waltman made six first quarter saves to close the door on the Wave. Wave goalkeeper Nick Vorberg made three stops against the Storm offense as the defenses played solidly.

Milwaukee forward Greg Howes tallied the first goal of the game at the 2:56 mark of the second quarter after Ricardinho connected with Howes for a power- play goal. Chicago countered with only 1:20 remaining in the half. Chicago midfielder Lazo Alavanja blasted a one-timer into the lower right corner to tie the game 1-1. Alavanja's goal increased his point-scoring streak to six games to set a new team record.

The Storm recorded the only goal of the third quarter after midfielder Andy Guastaferro found Byron Alvarez at the 12:04 mark. Novi started the play after he dished off to Guastaferro who was streaking down the middle of the box. The Canandaigua, New York native gathered the pass and dished off to Alvarez. The Mexico City native fired a shot past Vorberg for his 18th of the season to give the Storm a 2-1 advantage.

In the fourth stanza, Wave defender Joe Hammes knotted the game at 2-2 at 4:36 after he gathered a loose ball just inside the yellow line. The game remained tied until late in the fourth quarter when Guastaferro and Alvarez teamed up for the second time. Guastaferro started the play after he gathered a loose ball just past the yellow line and found Alvarez in the right corner. Guastaferro continued his run into the center of the box and Alvarez laid off a pass to him. The U.S. National Futsal Team member calmly shot the ball into the back of the net giving the Storm a 3-2 lead with just over two minutes left to play. The Wave brought on their sixth attacker and managed to tie the game 3-3 after Oliviero dished off the boards to Howes, who blasted a shot into the upper left corner past Waltman at the 13:39 mark, sending the game into overtime.

The Storm will now prepare for a two home games next weekend, starting Friday, February 25, when the "Yellow and Black" will face off against the Philadelphia KiXX at the UIC Pavilion at 7:30 p.m. CT. The Storm will then take on the Baltimore Blast Sunday afternoon at the UIC Pavilion at 3:00 p.m. CT. Both games can be heard live on www.chicagostorm.net in English.



Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from February 20, 2005


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