Storm rally comes up short

February 16, 2008 - Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
Chicago Storm News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - The Chicago Storm battled back from as much as a 7-2 deficit. But their late efforts were held in check as the California Cougars topped Chicago, 9-8, in Major Indoor Soccer League play Friday at Stockton Arena. Chicago drops to 13-8, a game behind the first-place Milwaukee Wave.

Next up for the Storm is a 7 p.m. match Feb. 23 against the Baltimore Blast at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, Ill. Following the match is the third stop of the Storm's and Q101's game and a concert series, brought to you by Comcast. The latest featured band is the Chicago-based Lovehammers.

California goalkeeper Sanaldo saved 20 of 24 shots while Jim Larkin saved 15 of 19. The Storm pulled Larkin late and used Branko Savic as a sixth attacker, but California held its own down the stretch.

The Cougars got on the scoreboard first when Enrique Tovar booted a rebound past Larkin for a 2-0 lead at the 6:27 mark of the first quarter. It took the Storm only 30 seconds to respond with Mariano Bollella's 10th goal of the season to tie the score at 2-2.

In the second quarter, newly signed Majell Aterado netted a three-pointer at the 2:56 mark for a 5-2 California advantage. Later in the quarter, Nelson Santana had a free opening in the middle of the field and scored a two-pointer for a 7-2 lead, prompting a Storm timeout with 9:06 remaining in the second.

For most of the second quarter, it looked like the Cougars would maintain their 7-2 lead. But Storm points leader Matthew Stewart scored his 20th goal of the season with 7.2 seconds remaining in the half to cut Chicago's deficit to 7-4.

With 8:30 left in the third quarter, Cougars midfielder Franck M'Bemba gave California a 9-4 lead. The Storm responded with a Mark Ughy goal from Savic with about 4 minutes remaining in the quarter to cut California lead to 9-6.

In the fourth, the Storm took advantage of a power-play opportunity when Stephen Armstrong blasted a shot past Sanaldo for a 9-8 deficit with 12:17 remaining. But California's defense held strong down the stretch, fending off a late Storm power play en route to the win.

The Chicago Storm are members of the Major Indoor Soccer League. Storm offices are located at 5333 Prairie Stone Pkwy., in Hoffman Estates. For more information on all aspects of Storm soccer, including season tickets, group outings, birthday parties and more, call (866) STORM-81, or visit ChicagoStorm.net.



Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from February 16, 2008


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