Storm take playoff opener
April 10, 2008 - Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
Chicago Storm News Release
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. - It was a fitting night for a former La Raza de Monterrey player - back when the team was in the World Indoor Soccer League - to score a game-winning goal.
Storm defender Fabinho tallied a game-winning, two-point goal 21 seconds into overtime as No. 5 seed Chicago defeated No. 6 seed La Raza de Monterrey, 10-8, on Thursday night in its Major Indoor Soccer League Championship Series quarterfinal opener at the Sears Centre Arena. Fabinho won a championship with La Raza during the 2000 WISL season.
The quarterfinal series moves to Monterrey, Mexico, when the Storm take on La Raza for Game 2 at 6:05 p.m. (CST) Sunday, April 13, at Arena de Monterrey. If the Storm win, they immediately advance to the quarterfinals, where top-seeded Detroit and second-seeded Milwaukee await. If Monterrey wins Sunday's match, the series goes to a "Golden Goal" match, which immediately follows Game 2. The first team to score a goal advances to the semifinals.
In other quarterfinal play Thursday night, No. 3 Baltimore routed No. 6 New Jersey, 22-10 to take Game 1 of its series at 1st Mariner Arena in Baltimore. Game 2 of their series takes place Saturday, April 12, at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.
The Storm, down to 15 players for the postseason, put together a team effort across the board, particularly on the defensive end. Monterrey's potent offense was limited to 18 shots on goal and single-digit scoring. Storm goalkeeper Jeff Richey made 12 saves en route to his first MISL playoff victory. La Raza goalkeeper Jose Bontti made 11 saves.
Chicago mustered enough offense, and Fabinho stole the show with two goals, the biggest being his overtime winner off of a Mark Ughy assist. Fabinho also netted two-point goal in the second quarter. He has scored three MISL playoff goals in his career.
Ian Bennett, Andy Rosenband and Stephen Armstrong provided the Storm's other goals, while John Ball and Mark Ughy had two assists apiece. Bennett's and Rosenband's goals were their first-ever in postseason play, and Armstrong's was his second. For Monterrey, Ivan Medina had two fourth-quarter goals and an assist. Former Storm forward Byron Alvarez had a two-point goal and La Raza teammate Victor Quiroz also added a two-pointer.
Playoff picture: Detroit and Milwaukee earned the top two seeds, respectively, in the MISL Championship Series. Detroit faces the lower-seeded quarterfinal winner and Milwaukee faces the higher-seeded quarterfinal victor. If the fifth- seeded Storm advance past Monterrey and third-seeded Baltimore tops New Jersey, Chicago would face Detroit. However, if the Storm reach the semifinals and sixth-seeded New Jersey upsets Baltimore, Chicago takes on Milwaukee in the semifinals.
If the Storm advance ... : Chicago hosts a semifinal match at noon Saturday, April 19, at the Sears Centre Arena. Visit ChicagoStorm.net for further details as the quarterfinals wrap up this weekend.
Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from April 10, 2008
- Storm take playoff opener - Chicago Storm
- Ironmen drop first ever playoff game at Baltimore - New Jersey Ironmen
- Detroit Ignition Newsletter - Detroit Ignition
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