Storm stops Ignition

March 11, 2007 - Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
Chicago Storm News Release


HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL - After yesterday's loss against the Philadelphia KiXX, Chicago Storm coach Steve Morris replied to the team's defeat by saying, "We're not defeated. We'll come out tomorrow and show that." The Storm proved Morris right and then some. With four players scoring two goals and stellar goalkeeping from backup ‘keeper Jeff Richey Chicago defeated the first place Detroit Ignition 18-4 at the Sears Centre.

In the second minute of play Chicago's Matthew Stewart kicked off the scoring when fellow midfielder Mariano Bollella passed a ball down the center of the goalkeeper area and Stewart swept the ball as he turned himself around to have it roll past Ignition goalkeeper Sonaldo into the far corner. Bollella's assist marked his 20th of the season, breaking the teams old assist marker set by current Ignition midfielder and former Storm captain Novi in 2004-05. Detroit's Mike Apple evened the game at two a piece eight minutes later but once again Stewart scored to put the Storm on top. Bollella found target man Mark Ughy at the center of the goalkeeper area and facing with his back to the ‘keeper Ughy sent the ball to to the left where Stewart tapped in his 18th goal of the season, one shy of his personal best.

With a modest 4-2 lead going into the second quarter, the Storm poured in four unanswered goals. Target man Mark Ughy scored his first shorthanded goal at the four minute mark when he outworked the Detroit defense. Two minutes later rookie forward Stephen Armstrong undressed a defender on a one v. one situation and buried a left footed shot past Sonaldo. Then forward Awadalla Morad got into the action on the power play as he led the breakaway, dropped the ball off to Ughy who drew a defender to him and Morad took the pass and finished it just under the crossbar to give Chicago the comfortable 10-2 lead going into the half.

The game changed style in the third quarter. Detroit buckled down defensively but Chicago still managed to increase their lead. At the midway point of the quarter Chicago broke loose on a three on two situation. Morad found fellow forward Jorge Valle who quickly gave the ball right back to Morad on the give and go and the Palestinian scored his second goal of the night. That gave the Storm a 12-2 lead going into the final quarter.

Just to serve notice that they had not had enough, with only 12 seconds eaten off the clock team captain Gaston Pernia stole the ball from the Ignition and sent a pass to Armstrong who rushed down the right hand side. The Birkenhead England native shook off a defender andd scored off of a right footed shot to mark his 20th of the season. Armstrong is the first Chicago player to score 20 goals this season. Pernia's assist marks his first point of the year.

The game started to get ugly after that. In the fourth quarter alone the two teams managed one yellow card, three blue cards and Pernia received a red card for violent conduct. Ignition forward Jamar Beasley turned with the ball and Gaston came in on a slide tackle. The tackle looked mistimed and he managed to catch Beasley's foot knocking him to the turf. Originally the official pulled out a blue card but after speaking to the other official on the field, he drew thee red sending Pernia from the game. Gaston will not be eligible to play in Saturday's game versus the KiXX if the ruling is not overturned.

Amidst all the scrapping, Chicago managed two more goals. A goal by Mark Ughy his 18th goal of the season and a power play goal by midfielder Andy Rosenband. Mike Apple did beat Jeff Richey for ony the second time of the night but Chicago comes out of the night with the 18-4 victory. Richey stopeed 15 of the 17 shots he faced.

Chicago jumps to 11-12 on the season, tied with the Milwaukee Wave for the fourth and final spot in the MISL postseason. Next up for the Storm is another back to back weekend, facing the KiXX in Philadelphia on Saturday and then returning home to play the California Cougars Sunday at 5 pm at the Sears Centre.

In his post game press conference Chicago head coach Steve Morris described his teams play ads full of heart. "Today I walked into the locker room and instead of giving my normal 15 to 20 minute game speech, I looked at the players and saw that they understood how important this game was with only seven left after tonight, Morris said. They knew the consequences and because of their determination and heart, were still in this." News and Notes: Storm goalkeeper Jeff Richey earned his sixth straight regular season win dating back to last season... Four Storm players scored two goals tonight (Matthew Stewart, Mark Ughy, Stephen Armstrong and Awadalla Morad)... Team captain Gaston Pernia earned his first point of the season on an assist to Stephen Armstrong... Midfielder Mariano Bollella's assist in the first quarter marked his 20th of the season, breaking the teams old assist marker set by Novi in 2004-05... Defender Randy Soderman played in his 100th career MISL game... Bollella has earned at least one point in five straight games... Midfield/forward John Ball blocked his 400th career shot tonight... Rookie of the year candidate Stephen Armstrong has now scored at least one goal in three straight games... Armstrong's two goals on the night make him the first Storm player to reach 20 goals this season.



Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from March 11, 2007


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