Storm top Wave in 17-16 thriller
February 22, 2009 - Xtreme Soccer League (XSL)
Chicago Storm News Release
MILWAUKEE (Feb. 22, 2009) - If it had been on ESPN at 2 p.m., it would have been on ESPN Classic by dinner.
The Chicago Storm and Milwaukee Wave traded goals, leads, blue cards and momentum for 60 breathtaking minutes on Sunday, and when it was done the Storm had fended off the Wave's final sixth-attacker parry for a 17-16 victory at the U.S. Cellular Arena.
Chicago (5-8) won its second consecutive game against a league-leading team and dropped Milwaukee (7-5) out of a first-place tie with Detroit.
Fabinho's magnificent shorthanded goal with 10:46 to go was perhaps the key play in a game full of turning points. That gave the Storm a 17-14 lead, when they were poised to possibly fall behind.
Jacek Przednowek cut the deficit to 17-16 with 3:56 to go, and the Wave generated at least two solid chances with Jonathan Santos on as sixth attacker but couldn't dent the Storm defense.
Dan Antoniuk led the Storm in just his second game with the team, with a 3-pointer, 2-pointer and an assist for six points. Fabinho and Lazo Alavanja had five points each.
Chicago scored the first goal on a 3-pointer, fell behind 10-7 at halftime, then ripped off eight consecutive points in the third quarter to go ahead 15-10. Milwaukee cut it to 15-14, and a blue card against Chris Cerroni put the Wave on the power play.
But Fabinho deflected a ball high, chased it down and settled, then struck a shot high past the Wave's Nick Vorberg for a shorthanded goal.
"He's a young man who plays with so much heart and emotion," said Storm head coach Steve Morris. "It's great to see him rewarded for his hard work."
Next home action for the Storm is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 28 at 6 p.m. against Milwaukee. That's followed by a 3 p.m. game Sunday, March 1 against Detroit. Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster outlets or by calling the Storm office at 1-866-STORM81 (1-866-786-7681).
Xtreme Soccer League Stories from February 22, 2009
- Storm top Wave in 17-16 thriller - Chicago Storm
- Wave fall in wild one, 17-16 - Milwaukee Wave
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